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.