Social Science : Term 2 Unit 1 : Ancient Excavation
UNIT 1
Ancient Excavation
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
* understand about excavation.
* know about archaeologists.
* know some examples of excavations.
Rekha: It is so hot today. I do not think that I can go out to play.
Grandma: Ah, very true. But, when I was young, I used to play outdoors all the time.
Rekha: How did you play when it was hot?
Grandma: When I was young, our neighbourhood was full of trees and I used to play in the shade of the trees.
Rekha: Wow! Really? I wonder how people lived in those days!
Grandma: Do you know, there is a way to know and understand how people lived in those days.
Rekha: How is that possible? Tell me more.
Grandma: Have you ever found a sea shell while digging in the beach?
Rekha: Yes!
Grandma: Similarly, there are people who dig the earth at various places to find things that people used before. These people are called Archaeologists! The process of digging the ground is called Excavation.
Now let us learn more about excavations.
EXCAVATION
Excavation is a controlled exploration of what lies under the surface of earth. All forms of archaeological excavation require great skills and careful preparation. Excavations can be classified based on the purpose like planned, accidental or rescue. Most excavations are properly pre – planned and their purpose is to find buried evidences from the site.
LET US KNOW
The things that Archaeologists find during excavation are called artefacts. Archaeologists can tell a lot about people who lived there by looking at their houses, clothes, bones and other artefacts.
ACTIVITY
Let us do
The class will get divided in groups of 3 and plant a sapling in the school premises. The students will clear the soil, dig the soil and plant the sapling.
If I dig the ground near my house, will I get artefacts? May be
Who is an Archaeologist?
Archaeologists: They study the history of humans and places through excavation and analyse the artefacts. Excavation gives us a glimpse of the past.
Some interesting examples from the world
Pyramids in Egypt: When the Pyramids were excavated it was found that the small pyramids were made for the Queens.They found huge tombs with super structures which were built for the burial of the royal family. Skeletons found in the pyramid gave information about the average height and age of the people.
Indus Civilisation: Indus Civilisation is also called Harappan Civilisation. This was the first site to be excavated in the early 20th century. Baked bricks were found underground. The city had awell-planned, proper sanitation systems, proper well and a way to direct waste water to closed drains. There were advanced granaries, Great bath and protective walls. It was found that the city and its civilisation were very advanced for their time.
Think
How do archaeologists identify the places with artefacts in it?
Some interesting examples from Tamil Nadu
There are many places in Tamil Nadu where excavations had happened and many interesting things were found.
Adichanallur
Adichanallur – Thoothukudi District
* Among the artefacts unearthed were Urns, pottery of various kinds (Red Ware, Black Ware), iron implements, daggers, swords, spears and arrows, some stone beads and a few gold ornaments.
* Bronze objects representing domestic animals and wild animals like tiger, antelope and elephant have been unearthed.
* The people were skilful in making pottery and in working stone and wood.
LET US KNOW
An archaeological site is any place where there are physical remains of past human activities.
ACTIVITY
Let us write
Imagine yourself to be an archaeologist and list down the things that you would collect during an excavation.
Where are the artefacts kept after excavation?
Arikamedu
Arikamedu is an archaeological site situated near Pondicherry. The excavation revealed that it was a costal village that traded with Rome. An archaeologist found Roman lamps, glass, stone beads, gems, cutlery and crockery, wine containers etc. He noted that, for the local fishermen of the village, the antiques were new.
Some Dinosaur eggs were discovered at Senthurai in Ariyalur.
Keezhadi
Keezhadi – Sivagangai District
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavated an ancient town dating to Sangam Age in Keezhadi village at Thiruppuvanam taluk. Excavations have produced evidence for brick buildings, and well laid – out drainage system. Tamil – Brahmi inscription on pottery, beads of glass, carnelian and quartz, pearl, gold ornaments and iron objects, shell bangles, ivory dice have been unearthed. The Roman artefacts found at the site add to the evidence of ancient Indo -Roman trade relations.
Glossary
Archaeologist: A person who learns about human history through excavation.
Excavation : Digging the earth to find building and tools made long ago.
Unearthed : Find (something) in the ground by digging.
Recap
* Excavation is the process in which people dig the Earth to find things that were used long ago.
* Archaeologists study the history of humans and places through excavation and analyse artefacts.
* Pyramids and Indus Civilisation are excavation sites in the world.
* Adhichanallur, Keezhadi and Arikamedu are important excavation sites in Tamil Nadu.
EVALUATION
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. _________ study the history of humans and places through excavation.
a) Archaeologists
b) Scientists
c) Excavationist
Answer: a) Archaeologists
2. Small pyramids were made for the in _________ Egypt.
a) Prince
b) King
c) Queen
Answer: c) Queen
3. Indus civilisation is also called as _________ Civilisation.
a) Egypt
b) Harappan
c) American
Answer: b) Harappan
4. Adichanallur is in _________.
a) Thoothukudi
b) Chennai
c) Pondicherry
Answer: a) Thoothukudi
5. Keezhadi revealed the_________ era.
a) Modern
b) Sangam
c) Middle age
Answer: b) Sangam
II. Match the following.
1. Pyramids- Adichanallur
2. Baked bricks- Keezhadi
3. Pottery- Roman lamp
4. Sivagangai-Indus civilisation
5. Arikamedu-Egypt
Answer:
1. Pyramids- Egypt
2. Baked bricks- Indus civilisation
3. Pottery- Adichanallur
4. Sivagangai- Keezhadi
5. Arikamedu- Roman lamp
III. True or False.
1. During excavations many artefacts were found. (True)
2. Indus Civilisation is located in Harappa. (True)
3. Adichanallur is an archaeological site in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. (Fales)
4. Keezhadi excavation revealed that it was not a developed city. (Fales)
5. Roman lamps, glass, stone beads, gems etc. were found in Arikamedu. (True)
IV. Answer the following.
1. What is excavation?
Excavation is a controlled exploration of what lies under the surface of the earth.
2. Who is an archaeologist?
An archaeologist is a person who studies the history of humans and places through excavation and analyses the artefacts.
3. Write a short note on pyramids.
Pyramids are huge tombs with broad structures. They were built for the burial of ancient Egyptian royal family. Skeletons found in the pyramid gave information about the average height and age of the people.
4. What are the artefacts that were found in Adichanallur?
Among the artefacts unearthed were urns, pottery of various kinds (Red Ware, Black Ware), iron implements, daggers, swords, spears and arrows, some stone beads and a few gold ornaments.
5. Where is Keezhadi located?
Keezhadi is located at Thiruppuvanam taluk in Sivagangai district.
V. Answer the following in detail.
1. Describe the Indus Civilisation.
Indus Civilisation is also called Harappan Civilisation. This was the first site to be excavated in the early 20th century. Baked bricks were found underground. The city had a well-planned, proper sanitation systems, proper well and a way to direct waste water to closed drains. There were advanced granaries, Great bath and protective walls. It was found that the city and its civilisation were very advanced for their time.
2. Give a detailed study of Keezhadi.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavated an ancient town dating to Sangam Age in Keezhadi village at Thiruppuvanam Taluk. Excavations have produced evidence for brick buildings, and well laid-out drainage system. Tamil-Brahmi inscription on pottery, beads of glass, carnelian and quartz, pearl, gold ornaments and iron objects, shell bangles, ivory dice have been unearthed. The Roman artefacts found at the site add to the evidence of ancient Indo-Roman trade relations.
3. Write about Arikamedu in detail.
Arikamedu is an archaeological site situated near Pondicherry. An archaeologist found Roman lamps, glass, stone beads, gems, cutlery and crockery, wine containers etc., there. He noted that for the local fishermen of the village, the antiques were new. He also observed that traders travelled from west coast, Ceylon and around the Ganges to trade goods such as gems, pearls and spices and silk. He carried out excavations carefully, so that none of the antiques would get damaged.
FUN WITH ACTIVITY
PROJECT:
Collect information about the latest excavations in Tamil Nadu.
1 Korkai Tuticorin 1968 – 1969
2 Panchalankurichi Tuticorin 1968 – 1969
3 Vasavasamudram Kanchipuram 1969 – 1970
4 Anaimalai Coimbatore 1969 – 1970
5 Pallavamedu Kanchipuram 1970 – 1971
6 Karur Karur 1973 – 1979, 1994 – 1995
7 Panayakulam Dharmapuri 1979 – 1980
8 Boluvampatti Coimbatore 1979 – 1980, 1980 – 1981
9 Kovalanpottal Madurai 1980 – 1981
10 Thondi Ramanathapuram 1980 – 1981
11 Gangaikondacholapuram Ariyalur 1980 – 1981, 1986 – 1987, 2008 – 2009
12 Kannanur Tiruchirappalli 1982 – 1983
13 Kurumbanmedu Thanjavur 1984 – 1985
14 Palayarai Thanjavur 1984 – 1985
15 Alagankulam Ramanathapuram 1986 – 1987, 1990 – 1991, 1993 – 1994, 1995 – 1996, 1996 – 1997, 1997 – 1998, 2014 – 2015
16 Tirukkovilur Villupuram 1992 – 1993
17 Kodumanal Erode 1992 – 1993, 1996 – 1998
18 Sendamangalam Villupuram 1992 – 1993, 1994 – 1995
19 Padavedu Tiruvannamalai 1992 – 1993
20 Tiruttangal Virudhunagar 1994 – 1995
21 Poompuhar Nagappatinam 1994 – 1995, 1997 – 1998
22 Maligaimedu Cuddalore 1999 – 2000
23 Tirunelveli Ramanathapuram 1999 – 2000
24 Mangudi Tirunelveli 2001 – 2002
25 Perur Coimbatore 2001 –2002
26 Andipatti Tiruvannamalai 2004 – 2005
27 Modur Dharmapuri 2004 – 2005
28 Marakkanam Villupuram 2005 – 2006
29 Parikulam Thiruvallur 2005-06
30 Nedunkur Karur 2006 – 2007
31 Mangulam Madurai 2006 – 2007
32 Sembiankandiyur Nagappatinam 2007 – 2008
33 Tranquebar Nagappatinam 2008 – 2009
34 Rajakkalmangalam Tirunelveli 2009 – 2010
35 Talaichankadu Nagapattinam 2010 – 2011
36 Alambarai Kancheepuram 2011 – 2012
37 Srirangam Trichy 2013 – 2014 , 2014 – 2015
38 Ukkaran Kottai Tirunelveli 2014 – 2015
39 Pattaraiperumbudur Tiruvallur 2015 – 2016
40 Keeladi Sivagangai 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020