TUTICORIN: Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, graced the auspicious occasion on Saturday by laying the foundation stone for an archeological marvel, the museum in Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu. This site, among the five 'Iconic Sites' selected in the Union Budget 2020-21, stands proudly on the banks of the revered river Tamirabarani.

The purpose of this remarkable museum is to accentuate the cultural significance of various archaeological sites, not just confined to Adichanallur, but also encompassing the entire Tamirabharani valley. It will serve as a tribute to the illustrious history of the Iron Age culture prevalent in Southern India during the era of Adichanallur.

Tuticorin MP Kanimozhi and several other dignitaries accompanied Sitharaman on this momentous occasion. The museum shall house a treasure trove of excavated artifacts, providing insights into the region's rich history and the profound archaeological importance of the site.

The development plan also includes fresh exploration and excavation of archaeological remains, a commendable endeavor taken up by the ASI, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) Circle. The legacy of Adichanallur dates back to Dr. Jagor of Berlin Museum's discovery in 1876. Later, in the 1910s, Englishman Alexander Rea excavated numerous urns, unearthing gold diadems with striking resemblances to those from Mycenae in Greece, as well as bronze objects adorned with exquisite finials portraying various animal forms, iron objects, and thousands of potsherds. The excavation activities resumed in 2003-04 and 2004-05, revealing the site's ancient past.

Carbon dating conducted on samples from the 2004 excavation disclosed that they belong to a period spanning from 1000 BC to 600 BC. In 2005, a staggering 169 clay urns, containing human skeletons dating back over 3,800 years, were discovered. As part of the Iconic Site development, the archaeological excavation at Adichanallur recommenced on October 10, 2021, promising to unravel even more secrets from the past.
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