The Hindu : Archaeologists claim rare pottery find

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Kochi

Archaeologists claim rare pottery find

By Our Staff Reporter

Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI NOV. 25. An archaeologist today claimed to have identified a large collection of rare pottery dating back to the 1st and early 2nd century AD from Pattanam, near North Paravur.

The archaeologist, K.P. Shajan, told mediapersons here today that the high concentration of pottery-like pieces of Roman wine amphora and other artefacts found in Pattanam were historically significant and could throw light on the disputed site of Muziris.

According to him, the presence of high concentration of pottery in the region suggested that the ancient port town of Muziris was in this region.

Roberta Tomber, research fellow of the Southampton University, the UK, who was also present on the occasion said such artefacts had been found for the first time in the South West coast of the country, indicating that this area had a high degree of trade relations with the Romans. Remains of the Roman wine amphora is common in the Red Sea coast, she said.

The archaeologists also claimed that alignment of bricks and beads of pre-historic period were found in Pattanam. Remains of Mesopotamian torpedo jar, storage jars commonly found in Yemen and on the Red Sea coast and dating back to 1st century BC to 4th century AD and West Asian glazed pottery were also found in the region, they said.

They ruled out the possibility of some of these finds being Indian imitations and suggested detailed excavations for ascertaining whether Muziris was in this area.

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