A team of archaeologists on Wednesday visited the sites at Attappady from where relics of an ancient civilization were discovered.
The archaeologists led by K. Krishna Raj, officer in charge of the Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum, Kozhikode, examined different sites at Anakkatti, Vattilakki, Agali, and Nattakkallu.
Mr. Krishna Raj said that they found a large collection of megalithic pottery in Sholayur panchayat. “We were surprised to find quite a large collection of russet-coated painted wares from some parts of Attappady”” he said.
According to initial estimation, the relics were nothing less than 2,000 years old. “Nowhere in Kerala have we found such a huge collection of russet-coated painted wares,” said Mr. Krishna Raj.
He said the exploration would continue on Thursday. Sholayur grama panchayat president P. Ramamoorthy said that they were surprised to discover several undamaged earthen pots of historic and archaeological value from different parts of the panchayat.
A goldmine of past
Mr. Ramamoorthy and a few other civic officials accompanied Mr. Krishna Raj and his team to the sites. “We never knew Attappady is a goldmine of an ancient civilization,” he said.
Stone tools, menhirs, cist and urn burial sites, stone circles, russet-coated painted pottery, terracotta images, stone carvings and granite inscriptions were found from different sites along the banks of the Bhavani, Siruvani, and Kodumkarapallam rivers in Attappady. The team, after their initial exploration, hinted that a civilization dating back to 1,000 BC had existed at Attappady.
The discoveries were originally made during a prolonged post-doctoral study by economist A.D. Manikandan among the tribespeople of Attappady. Several relics, including menhirs and urn burials, were destroyed in recent years.
A tribal settlement at Kottathara called Nattakkallu Ooru got its name from menhirs. All but a single menhir there were destroyed by the local people.
“We want the Archaeology department to conduct a detailed study about the findings,” said Mr. Ramamoorthy.
