Fifth-Century hero stone unearthed in Tamil Nadu
Archaeologists in Tamil Nadu unearthed a fifth-century hero stone from a brick-well at Malayadipatti, Tenkasi district. The inscription, dating to Sangam times, is in a transitional Tamil-Brahmi to Vattezhuthu script and records a memorial for Nannang Kodiyan.
Key takeaways
- A hero stone from the Sangam period was discovered in a brick well at Malayadipatti, Tenkasi district.
- The inscription is in a transitional script between Tamil-Brahmi and Vattezhuthu and mentions four names.
- The stone likely commemorates Nannang Kodiyan, son of Karukkan Sulagan, and did not feature warrior imagery.
- Findings come from ongoing excavations by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.
What Happened
The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) excavated at Malayadipatti village near Karivalamvandanallur in the Tenkasi district. During the digging, a brick well with steps yielded a hero stone inscription dating to the Sangam period. The stone measures about 1 meter in length and 0.30 meters in width. The inscription is written in a script representing a transitional stage from Tamil-Brahmi to Vattezhuthu and comprises four lines reading: ‘Karukkan’, ‘Sulagan’, ‘Nannang’, and ‘Kodiyan’. Archaeologists interpret the inscription as memorializing Nannang Kodiyan, son of Karukkan Sulagan, and note that hero stones from the Sangam and post-Sangam periods typically did not feature warrior carvings.
Officials indicated the stone was found among materials used to fill the well, and that the well itself showed signs of use during the Sangam period before being filled with stones and bricks in later years.
Why It Matters
The find provides direct evidence of commemorative practices during the Sangam era and adds details about the inscription styles transitioning between early Tamil scripts. It also contributes to understanding local life, occupation, and trade as revealed by excavations at the site, reinforcing the broader historical context of the region during the Sangam period.
Background
The discovery occurs within ongoing excavations by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology at Malayadipatti, a site that has yielded artefacts illuminating life in the Sangam period. The inscription’s four lines add to the corpus of known hero-stone inscriptions from the region and help date the practice to a time when figures were not typically carved on hero stones.
Key Facts
- Location: Malayadipatti village, near Karivalamvandanallur, Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu.
- Discovery site: A brick-well with steps where the hero stone was found.
- Dating: Sangam period era; inscription indicates Fifth Century dating.
- Stone dimensions: Approximately 1 meter long and 0.30 meters wide.
- Inscription script: Transitional form from Tamil-Brahmi to Vattezhuthu, four lines read as Karukkan, Sulagan, Nannang, Kodiyan.
- Interpretation: Erected in memory of Nannang Kodiyan, son of Karukkan Sulagan. No warrior depiction is present on this hero stone.
- Site context: Artefacts uncovered during excavation shed light on life, occupation, and trade in the Sangam period.
What Happens Next
The report notes ongoing excavations by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology at Malayadipatti, with further findings anticipated as digs continue. No additional next steps beyond the ongoing excavations are specified in the material.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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