After two years, ASI ask archaeologist Amarnath to rework Keezhadi Excavation report
He said when the issue about delay in the release of Ramakrishna's report was raised in the parliament, it was assured that the report would be released. "As the next meeting of the Assurances Committee of Parliament is scheduled for May 27, the ASI has returned the report to Ramakrishna seeking certain corrections (as a delaying tactic)."
An archaeologist in Chennai, well-versed in Keezhadi excavations, on anonymity told TNIE that the development was unfortunate. "The report submitted by Ramakrishna is an excavator's account with all observations based on facts. Before sending it to the press, only typos can be corrected. Unfortunately, it has been vetted by two others who were not connected with the excavations at all," he said .
R Balakrishnan, Director, International Institute of Tamil Studies, who authored the book - Journey of a Civilisation: Indus to Vaigai - said, 'We are distressed by the fact that the report of an excavation done 10 years back is still facing roadblocks,' he said.
He pointed out that what is found in Keezhadi, Sivagalai, and Adichanallur had been predicted way back in 1935 by KN Dikshit, the then Director General of the ASI. 'Hence, it (the findings) should not shock or surprise anyone. We have to be aware that we are already 90 years late. History is not just 'useful'; it is essential, inevitable and inescapable,' Balakrishnan added.
Balakrishnan recalled that the Keezhadi archaeological site was identified by the ASI team led by Amaranth Ramakrishna after surveying 292 sites on both banks of the Vaigai River. Pointing out that the ancient Tamil Sangam corpus is the urban literature par excellence of the ancient Indian subcontinent, Balakrishnan said, 'Hence, unearthing of archaeological evidence for an ancient 'urban settlement' near Madurai should not unsettle or bewilder anyone.'
History Professor V Marappan of Presidency College, who is also well-versed in Keezhadi excavations and findings, also expressed disappointment. He contended that the history experts, archaeologists and politicians from northern India have been stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the antiquity of Tamils for long.
'Just like the Indus Valley civilisation was there in the North, and the Mesopotamian civilisation originated from the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, etc. Ramakrishna's excavations and the report established that there existed a very ancient civilisation in Tamil Nadu. The present history book speaks only about the Indus Valley Civilisation as far as India is concerned. But in reality, the starting point of India's history is Tamil Nadu,' Marappan said.
Ramakrishna, who is presently Director, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, declined to comment.
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