COIMBATORE: The Archaeological Survey of India has unearthed a potsherd dating to the Chera period at the Kumarikkalpalayam excavation site in Tirupur district. The fragment of clay pot has the Tamil-Brahmi inscription ‘Irumpurai’ on it. Based on paleographic analysis, the five -character inscription has been dated to the period spanning from the late 1st century BCE to the early 1st century CE.According to archaeologists at the site, the potsherd belongs to a storage jar of the “black-and-red ware” pottery tradition. The inscription ‘Irumpurai’ is a title associated with the Chera kings.The administrative centre of the Chera dynasty was in Karur region. Karur is situated approximately 95 kilometres from this excavation site. Consequently, it is inferred that this region may have been under the Chera dominion during that historical period.ASI began excavations at Kumarikkalpalayam site in February. The site is situated in agricultural fields in Uthukuli taluk. The region constitutes a major habitation zone dating back to the Iron Age and the Early Historic Period. The site features a large habitation mound and an associated Megalithic burial complex.The other findings at the excavation site include various types of pottery like red-slipped ware, black-and-red ware and russet-coated ware. These artefacts provide insights into the lifestyle, trade, and culture of that era.It is anticipated that the ongoing excavations will unearth significant information regarding the ancient history of the Tamils.
