ASI to play a crucial role in Muziris excavations

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) can be a distinguished companion in the eleventh season of excavations on the Pattanam and Mathilakam villages positioned in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. The excavations are being spearheaded by PAMA Institute for the Advancement of Transdisciplinary Archaeological Sciences, a non-profit analysis organisation.

The ASI has named K.P. Mohandas, head of its Thrissur Circle; Linto Alappat, head of Geology Department, Christ College, Irinjalakuda; Rajesh C.V. and Abhayan G., college, Department of Archaeology, Kerala University; Veenus Jain, head of History, Amity University; and Deepak P., college, Department of Computer Science, Queen’s University, Belfast; as co-directors of the undertaking.

The Pattanam excavations, launched in 2006-07, resumed in January 2020 after a five-year hiatus. A essential goal of the Muziris analysis undertaking is to collect proof and analyse historic India’s commerce and cultural transactions from the coast of Gujarat to Bengal and past. So far, excavations at Pattanam have unearthed relics of three dozen cultures linked to numerous geographies that reach from Hepu web site in southern China to Catalonia in Spain, from fifth century BCE to fifth century CE. They level in the direction of a extremely subtle tradition flourishing in the Periyar delta, with its indigenous settlements courting again to 1,000 BCE.

Crucial artefacts

The excavations of the tenth season had unearthed vital artefacts, together with a seal ring with the picture of Greek sphinx intently resembling the seal ring of Augustus Caesar — the primary Roman Emperor — and a Greco-Roman head statuette.

Besides selling evidence-based analysis, PAMA goals to rework Pattanam village into a data hub and a mannequin world heritage web site, with public participation, in accordance to R.V.G. Menon and P.J. Cherian, chairman and director respectively of PAMA. The area analysis would start at Pattanam and Mathilakam as soon as the COVID-19 state of affairs is beneath management.

Mapping the Periyar

In the meantime, PAMA is planning a ward-based survey on each banks of the Periyar to doc the fabric floor stays and to accumulate related data from native communities. The undertaking titled ‘Periyar River Valley: Mapping Materials and Memories’ goals to discern the role of Pattanam hinterland in the making of the Muziris port.

PAMA has created a digital group of ward members of the panchayats/municipalities on the banks of the Periyar for the train. The purpose is to familiarise them with digital modes of investigation and assist them develop a deeper understanding of the Periyar that flows from the Western Ghats to the Indian Ocean.

Students and science fans can turn into a part of this undertaking by registering and paying on-line a charge of ₹200. Details can be found on www.pama.org.in.