The Oldest Settlements in South India: The Keeladi Excavations

Storytrails9 minutes read

The text discusses the ancient civilizations in India, including the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic civilization, and Tamil civilization, with recent excavations revealing artifacts dating back thousands of years and evidence of advanced techniques like steel-making. It highlights the rich history and complexity of early Indian societies, challenging previous assumptions about the lack of ancient civilizations in South India.

Insights

  • The Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to 2600 BCE, spanned multiple modern-day countries.
  • Recent excavations in South India have revealed evidence of ancient Tamil civilizations dating back to 6th Century BCE, challenging previous assumptions about the region's history.

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Recent questions

  • What is the oldest known Indian civilization?

    Indus Valley Civilization

  • When did the Vedic civilization emerge?

    Around 1600 BCE

  • What period hinted at a grand Tamil civilization in South India?

    Sangam period

  • What recent excavations in South India revealed artifacts dating back to the 6th Century BCE?

    Khiladi near Madurai

  • What did excavations at ADI Channel reveal about ancient Indian society?

    Multi-racial society with advanced iron tools

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Summary

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Ancient Indian Civilizations: Uncovering History's Secrets

  • The oldest known Indian civilization, the Indus Valley Civilization, dates back to at least 2600 BCE, spanning parts of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
  • Following the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1600 BCE, the Vedic civilization emerged in North India, lasting until about 500 BCE.
  • Initially, it was assumed that South India lacked ancient civilizations, but the Sangam period literature hinted at a grand Tamil civilization between 300 BCE and 300 CE.
  • Recent excavations at Khiladi near Madurai in South India unearthed artifacts dating back to the 6th Century BCE, suggesting a structured and literate Tamil society.
  • The ADI Channel site, located 200 kilometers south of Khiladi, revealed ancient artifacts dating back to 905 BCE, with carbon dating suggesting even older origins, possibly 3500 years old.
  • The excavations at ADI Channel uncovered a multi-racial society with skeletons showing a mix of races, along with advanced iron tools and evidence of an ancient steel-making technique known as Woods steel.
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