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The row erupted after the central government allegedly didn’t recognise the excavation report, submitted to the ASI by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna.
After the first two excavations, Tamil Nadu state department of Archaeology took over from ASI at Keeladi in 2017.(X)
Chief Minister MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has urged the Union government to release the report of the archaeological excavations conducted in Keeladi citing the fresh research findings by a university in England on the archaeological site.
DMK Criticises Centre
State’s finance minister Thangam Thennarasu who also holds the archaeology portfolio, said that the UK-based university has reconstructed facial features of ancient people who lived around 2,500 years ago highlighting the antiquity of Tamil culture and civilization to the world.
UK-based Liverpool John Moores University studied the skulls excavated from Keeladi and reconstructed the facial features of ancient people who lived around 2,500 years ago. The images were generated last year after the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) sent them digital files related to skull samples from Kondagai
He further accused the BJP-led government of “suppressing Tamil heritage” and said that the findings have defeated the Union government’s unjust and denials.
“Though the Union BJP government has deceitfully tried to suppress the history and heritage of Tamils, constructive scientific findings and the historical evidence emerging from the Keeladi excavations continue to defeat the Union government’s unjust and denials. I urge the Union government to at least now release the Keezhadi research report,” Thennarasu said.
Further, CM Stalin also took to social media and said, “The way of life detailed in Sangam literature now stands scientifically validated through the findings at Keeladi.”
Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) DNA Lab, in collaboration with Harvard’s David Reich Lab, is analysing bones, grains and burial remains to map ancient Tamil life. Professor G Kumaresan, head of Ancient DNA Lab of MKU, told Hindustan Times, “We received the data and images last year. Across the world, such facial recognition is done and we also did it to help us have a visual connection.”
The facial reconstruction images using DNA analysis showed proximity of the humans in the region to South Asian origin.
DMK Politicising Issue, Says BJP
Meanwhile, Shekhawat alleged that DMK is politicising the Keeladi excavation issue and is not cooperating with Centre.
Accusing the DMK of mixing archaeology with linguistic politics, the BJP said, “ASI hasn’t rejected any report but has just asked for clarifications.”
What’s The Row?
The row erupted after the central government allegedly didn’t recognise the excavation report, submitted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who headed two phases of excavations and unearthed an ancient civilisation in Keeladi in the Sivaganga district.
The controversy intensified after Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on June 10 said the reports submitted to the ASI not technically well supported. Further scientific studies are required to validate the findings, he said.
Later, the ASI asked the archaeological officer to revise original Keeladi report to which officer refused, citing accurate dating of artefacts from 8th century BCE to 3rd century CE.
CM Stalin also slammed the Centre for not validating the archaeological report. Later Ramakrishna was transferred.
DMK MP P Wilson condemned the transfer of the archaeologist from his present position.
Taking to X, he wrote that no one can suppress the truth. “You cannot bury history with propaganda. You cannot purchase scientific truths with money or power.”
After the first two excavations, Tamil Nadu state department of Archaeology took over from ASI at Keeladi in 2017 and digging entered its 11th phase this year.
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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Tamil Nadu, India, India
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