The Hindu : New findings on Kerala's antiquity

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 22, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

New findings on Kerala's antiquity

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 21. In a path-breaking geological, archaeological and historical study, a group of researchers has identified evidence for the first early historic urban settlement in Kerala, according to the Kerala Council for Historic Research (KCHR) Director, P.J. Cherian.

In a release herethe other day, Dr. Cherian said that prolific concentration of pottery and bricks overlapping Iron Age remains were discovered in an area of about 1.5 sq. km at Pattanam in Chittattukara panchayat, 5 km south east of the present Periyar River mouth. Geomorphologic analysis, identification of Mediterranean amphorae and West Asian pottery and etymological explanations suggest some distinct features of Indo-Roman trade in this area of Malabar Coast raising the question whether this was the location of the legendary ancient port of Muziris.

Dr. Cherian said a discussion and display of geo-archaeological evidences from the locality were being organised at the KCHR library on Monday.

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