The top portion of an ancient burial urn, believed to be from the Megalithic period (300 BC to 100 AD) has emerged from sand near Tarangamdabi in the district due to heavy rains and sea erosion, official sources said.

The entire district has been receiving heavy rains due to consecutive depressions in the past three weeks. The sea is very rough and coastal areas are experiencing sea erosion.

Tahsildar Azhagirisamy, who visited the spot and inspected the urn, said some fishermen noticed it emerging from the sand in a coastal burial ground at the sea front at Perumalpettai in Tarangambadi.

He said the urn could not be unearthed immediately as the sea was rough. Also care had to be taken to unearth it without damaging its structure, he said, adding that the procedure would be completed once conditions are normal.

He also said complete details of the urn would be known only after archaeological examination.

It may be noted that the fertile Cauvery Delta in this district, particularly Tarangambadi, Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai and nearby villages, are believed to have served as great centres of human settlement even during pre-historic periods.

Pottery and urns belonging to these times, particularly the Megalithic period (300 BC to 100 AD) have been unearthed from many places in this area in the past.

In the megalithic period, soldiers were usually buried with their belongings in the urns. Officials feel the urn might also belong to this period.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Nagapattinam (TN) – December 14th, 2013