DISCOVERING THE PAST: THE NOYYAL RIVER VALLEY EXCAVATIONS AND ITS SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63300/Keywords:
Noyyal River Valley, Archaeological Excavations, Roman Trade, Megalithic Culture, Socio-Cultural HistoryAbstract
The Noyyal River Valley, located in the Coimbatore region of Tamil Nadu, is an important archaeological zone. Explorations and excavations at Vellalore, Sulur, Boluvampatti, Perur, Kodumanal and Molapalayam have unearthed Roman coins, semi-precious stone beads, terracotta figurines, terracotta beads, iron tools, shell ornaments, different types of pottery, inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi and Vatteluthu scripts, and burial remains, etc. These findings reveal strong trade connections with the Romans and other regions of India. The evidence of bead-making, iron and steel making, weaving tools, shell ornament making and pottery industries shows that early societies in the region were prosperous and skilled. Additionally, evidence like megalithic burial sites, habitation layers and structural remains proves the existence of a planned community spanning from the 3rd century BCE to the 9th century CE. On the whole, the excavations conducted in the Noyyal River Valley contributed to know about the socio-cultural history of western Tamil Nadu during the early period.
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