Thoothukudi :

Pallanguzhi (a traditional mancala game) holes dating back to the Stone Age were found at Pannamparai village in the district, claimed Thavasimuthu, an archaeologist. The holes were discovered during a ground study by Thavasimuthu and his students.

Pallanguzhi is a traditional mancala game played in rural areas. It is normally played on boards and before boards emerged, people played the game by making holes in rocky areas. Thavasimuthu claimed that the holes represent a shorter version of Pallanguzhi, which is played even now.

He added that the holes represent several things, including the earliest human settlements, the impact that the game had on human lives and also the adjacent trade routes. He further said that the game was even used to settle disputes between kings and had avoided several wars as the winner of the game was considered the winner of the dispute.

After examining the holes, Thavasimuthu said, “The Pallanguzhi holes should be at least 10,000 years old.”

He added that the holes would normally be made with axes but in the case of holes found at Pannamparai village, the holes were made using stones.

He noted that by relating the age of the Pallanguzhi holes and the earliest possible  human settlements, it could be discerned that men from Africa had first settled in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu.

He added that similar holes were earlier found in Pazhani hills and they date back 25,000 years.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / November 16th, 2014