Thamirabarani Civilization

Subject – History

Context – ‘Thamirabarani civilisation 3,200 years old’

Concept –

In a development that has the potential to rewrite the history of the Indian subcontinent, a US-based lab has carbon-dated the remaining discovered from an ancient civilization in Tamil Nadu to at least 3,200 years.
The finding has established that the Porunai River (Thamirabarani) civilization dates back to 3,200 years.
The results of the Beta Analytic Testing showed that rice and soil existed dates back to 1155 BCE.
This is the oldest civilization perhaps, older than the Vaigai civilization which is believed to be 2,600 years old.
The findings of artefacts at the excavation sites proves that the civilisation existed prior to 4th century BC.
A silver coin that was found at the Keezhadi excavation with sun, moon engravings belong to 4th century BC, that is prior to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka’s period.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said in the assembly that a museum will be set up at Tirunelveli to exhibit findings from the excavations, at a cost of Rs.15 crore. The museum will be called Porunai, an ancient name for the Thamirabarani river.