Perumbalai

Perumbalai
Village
Perumbalai Location in Tamil Nadu, India Show map of Tamil Nadu Perumbalai Perumbalai (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 11°57′48″N77°56′20″E / 11.9633°N 77.9388°E / 11.9633; 77.9388
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Dharmapuri
Language(s)
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)

Perumbalai is a village in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located within Dharmapuri district. ^[1]

Perumbalai is situated on the banks of Nagavathi River. ^[2]

Historical significance and archaeological finds

Perumbalai has gained local and national attention recently due to discovery of hundreds of artifacts dating back to the 6th century BCE. ^{[2] [3]} The artifacts unearthed include terracotta figurines, sherds with geometric symbols and potteries with well-levigated clay. ^[4] Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, released a report of the diggings and finds by S. Paranthaman and R. Venkata Guru Prasanna in June 2024. It was titled "Excavations at Perumbalai, 2022." ^[5]

Perumbalai area was on the radar of archeologists earlier also, in the 19th and 20th centuries. ^{[6] [7]}

Hero stones dating back to the 13th century have also been discovered in Perumbalai. ^[8]

Excavations are ongoing and may find important clues to ancient Tamil civilization. ^[9] However, experts have warned that these endeavours have taken on a political turn and may lead to culture wars. ^[10]

References

1. Madras District Gazetteers: Tamil Nadu district. Superintendent, Government Press. 1995.
2. Muruganandham, T. (3 July 2024). "Artefacts in TN's Perumbalai excavation site reveal an Iron Age story". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
3. Sivapriyan, DHNS, E. T. B. "It's raining artefacts as curtains set to draw on excavations in Tamil Nadu". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
4. Jesudasan, Dennis S. (23 June 2024). "Sherds with geometric symbols, potteries with well-levigated clay excavated in Perumbalai". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 9 August 2024.
5. "CM inaugurates excavations in eight sites, including 10th phase in Keeladi, and four new sites". The Times of India. 18 June 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 9 August 2024.
6. India, Archæological Survey of (1882). New Imperial Series. Manager of Publications.
7. Rajan, Karai (1997). Archaeological Gazetteer of Tamil Nadu. Manoo Pathippakam.
8. Staff Reporter (16 January 2022). "Two hero stones with inscriptions discovered at Perumbalai in Dharmapuri". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 9 August 2024.
9. "Stalin launches archaeological excavations in eight locations across Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 9 August 2024.
10. Ashok, Sowmiya (22 June 2022). "Stalin's archaeology push in Tamil Nadu is the stuff of culture wars. Experts have a warning". ThePrint. Retrieved 9 August 2024.