CHENNAI: Beyond the magnificence of the Brihadeeswarar temple or the rocks of Mamallapuram, there is a world of menhirs, ‘hero stones’, Sangam literature and Dutch tombs at Pulicat, constituting Tamil Nadu’s archaeological heritage.
A national workshop on Tamil archeological heritage conducted by the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology of the University of Madras explored the State’s monuments, inscriptions and literary heritage.
The photo exhibition explored the archeological journey from old Jain temples and bas-relief, to monuments in Kancheepuram and Tanjore. Tamil Nadu’s monumental heritage is rich, from the Paiyampalli excavations and megalithic burials of the Iron Age. Literature is an important recorder of history, and as P Venkatesan, retired director from the Archaeological Survey of India said, written records have been pointers for vital findings like the commemorative ‘hero stones’ at Tiruvannamalai. The remains in Tamil Nadu show a religious diversity, with Buddhist Viharas, Jain temples, mosques and Christian burial sites. Other lesser known sites exhibited in the photographs were Vettuvan Koil, Thoothukudi and Jain temple at Chitharal.
The workshop was opened by R Thandavan, Madras University’s Vice Chancellor, with an address by V G Bhooma, Central Institute of Classical Tamil’s director and archeologists Natana Kasinathan and P D Balaji.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/student/A-Showcase-of-History--Heritage-of-Tamil-Nadu/2015/01/05/article2604573.ece
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