Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), a non-profit organisation,has launched a campaign to include Chhath on Unesco’s list of Intangible CulturalHeritage. Chhath, one of the prominent festivals of Hindus dedicated to sun, iscelebrated in large parts of the country. As part of this campaign, the Patna chapter ofIntach has begun proper documentation of the festival through photographs. It hasorganised a national photographic salon for the first time to gather photographicevidence related to the festival. The Federation of Indian Photographers has lent itssupport to this mission, an Intach official said. So far, nine photographers, includingLaszlo Szita from Budapest (Hungary), have registered with Intach while the last date ofregistration is November 12. The others include photojournalists from Ranchi, Kolkata,Bengaluru and Patna.

“For the first time, we are making proper documentation of thisfestival and collecting photographic evidence, highlighting the 2,000-year-old traditionin states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,” Intach’s Patna chapter convener Bhairab Lal Dastold TOI on Tuesday. Stating this festival is being celebrated in for over 2,000 yearswithout a break, Das said they were trying to prove it through temples, statues, worshipmethods, offerings, utensils used for worship and how this festival has been closelyassociated with rivers and water bodies. “None can offer prayers to the sun withoutwater,” he said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/intach-launches-campaign-for-unesco-heritage-status-of-chhath-festival/articleshow/114994722.cms, November 4, 2024

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organized a StateCulture and Heritage Quiz at APS Beas. Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, Punjab StateConvener for INTACH, emphasized the importance of the annual event, stating that thequiz... The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organized aState Culture and Heritage Quiz at APS Beas. Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, Punjab StateConvener for INTACH, emphasized the importance of the annual event, stating that thequiz aimed to instill awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage among children,fostering integration within the nation’s diverse cultural landscape. The selectionprocess for the state-level competition began at the district level, wherein districtconveners invited schools to participate. Schools conducted internal selections andshortlisted five teams, each comprising two students, to represent their institutions.Following intense competition at the district level, ten teams were selected for the state-level round. The finalists represented a range of districts across Punjab. From Faridkot,

the DCM International School (Kotkapura) team included Manmeet Kaur and Manmeet Singh. Sangrur was represented by Gyansh Global School, with Ishavmeet Singh and Hamandeep Kaur representing the team. Kapurthala’s MGN Public School was represented by Puneet Kaur and Charuvrat Bains. The Dass and Brown World School team from Ferozepur included Kriday Gaba and Arvav Mittal. From Tarn Taran, Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Public School, Pahuwind, was represented by Mahekdeep Kaur and Gurleen Kaur. Amritsar’s Spring Dale Senior Secondary School team consisted of Sargun Kaur Bhullar and Mudit Tayal. The Oasis Public School team from Malerkotla included Mavia and Zubia. Patiala’s Our Lady of Fatima Convent Secondary School was represented by Diya Bhalla and Bhavik Singh. From Bathinda, Silver Oak School’s team included Chaitanya and Jai Utkarsh. Jalandhar’s Swami Sant Das Public School, Phagwara team comprised Ankit Choubey and Ajitesh Claire. The quiz covered a broad range of topics, including built and natural heritage, living traditions, endangered heritage, prominent Indian personalities, Punjab-related heritage and INTACH’s initiatives.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/amritsar-school-wins-state-culture-quiz/, November 04, 2024

A unique two-day festival, RISE 2024, will bring together experts, educators, and students to explore Artificial Intelligence, inclusivity, and global citizenship in education. Alliance Française de Delhi, in collaboration with One Teacher One Scientist, is set to host the second edition of RISE (Re-Imagining School Education), an annual Thought Exchange Festival that aligns school education with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Curated by the distinguished author and educationist Vaishali Gupta, the event will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and Global Citizenship, fostering dialogue, innovation, and creativity.

The festival will take place on November 8 and 9, 2024, at Alliance Française de Delhi, Lodhi Estate. The event will begin at 12:15 pm on November 8, 2024 with an inaugural ceremony featuring esteemed dignitaries such as UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp, French Ambassador to India Dr. Thierry Mathou, and Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture of India. RISE 2024 will feature influential speakers, including cybersecurity expert Rakshit Tandon, with participation from partners like Airbus, ‰cole Intuit Lab, Amway, INTACH, IIT Delhi’s Innovation Cell, and Microsoft.
The agenda includes panel discussions and talks on AI’s role in education and topics like career ethics, digital inclusion, and student safety. Key sessions include:
Careers, Ethics, and Plagiarism in an AI World” by Vanita Vasudeva, Program Consultant at FITT-IIT Delhi Bridging the Digital Divide in Education”, a panel moderated by Vaishali Gupta
Importance of Nutrition for Health” by Amway
Inclusivity and Child Safety in Schools”, moderated by Dr. Mala Bhandari
Cyber Safety and Security on Social Media” by Rakshit Tandon
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND WORKSHOPS
A diverse range of interactive activities and workshops has been curated for students, teachers, and young adults:
For children: Activities include photography walks, storytelling, robotics, AR/VR exhibits, coding, and 3D printing workshops aimed at fostering critical thinking.
For teachers: Practical sessions cover AI in global education, 21st-century pedagogy, and implementation strategies for the classroom.
For young adults: Sessions address global citizenship through topics like nutrition, wellness, safety, gender equality, and inclusivity.

Additional highlights include themed workshops like “Technology in Preserving Indian Heritage” by INTACH, a drone experience by Airbus, robotics workshops by Microsoft, and a Model United Nations (MUN) in French conducted by Alliance Française students. There will also be competitions for children, including a treasure hunt based on SDGs, poster-making, and NGO’s Got Talent. MUSIC AND SPECIAL EVENTS A series of musical performances will enrich the festival, including a piano concert by French pianist Kim Barbier on November 7, a concert by Alliance Française students on November 8, and a performance by the Kimya Ensemble on November 9,2024. Spaces are limited, and participants—including students, teachers, and parents—are encouraged to register early on a first-come, first-serve basis. Certificates will be awarded to all participants, along with prizes for various competitions.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/ambala-intach-wins-best-chapter-award-6th-time-in-a-row/, October 05, 2024

Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation of a new site museum in 2021. It felt like a departure from the government's Harappan-centric focus. But no progress has been made since. In early 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an allocation of Rs 3150 crore in the Union Budget to the Ministry of Culture. This funding aimed to develop five archaeological sites which were designated as the ‘iconic’ sites. The plan was to build world-class site museums and infrastructure around the sites to promote tourism and cultural awareness. The five sites were the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dholavira, Ahom monuments in Sivasagar, the multi-cultural of Hastinapur, Rakhigarhi, one of the largest Harappan cities, and Adichanallur a significant Iron-Age burial site located in Tamil Nadu. Each site represents a significant era in the history of India. But there is a clear winner in terms of popularity. Rakhigarhi, a Harappan metropolis situated in Haryana has acquired maximum space in the newspapers and is certainly the most talked about archaeological site. The site that’s not gotten the limelight it deserves is Adichanallur. Situated in southern Tamil Nadu, it’s one of the largest and most well-preserved urn-burial sites of the Iron Age. This site represents a practice, which although ancient, has continued till the 12th century CE. It has been grabbing the attention of scholars and archaeologists for nearly 140 years and deserves the attention of the general public as well. From discovery to protection Situated on the southern bank of the Thamirabarani River in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, Adichanallur was discovered by F Jagor in 1876. He conducted haphazard

excavations and retained many artefacts including pottery, copper and iron objects, which he later donated to the Berlin Museum. His actions alerted the government to the rich unknown cultural history of the region, which eventually prompted archaeologist Alexander Rea of the Archaeological Survey of India to survey the site, document the remains and excavate it between 1889 and 1905. In contrast to Jagor’s endeavours, Rea aimed to conduct a systematic and comprehensive exploration. His work involved thorough documentation and analysis of the remains found at the site, which included a vast array of pottery, tools and urn burials. During his investigations, Rea identified that the urn-burials are a significant characteristic feature of Adichanallur. He documented that the skeletal remains were often placed in crouched positions within the pottery vessels accompanied by grave goods. This methodology revealed insight into the social structures and cultural beliefs of the site’s inhabitants. Rea discovered about 5,000 artefacts including many iron implements and weapons, ornaments in bronze and gold, stone beads, lamp stands, hanging lamps, bronze figurines of buffaloes, sheep, goats, antelopes, elephants, etc. But the most important of his discoveries were gold diadems found in well-preserved burials. They were either oval in shape or an elongated strip—plain in design or with dots or lines engraved on them. What is fascinating is that in the more recent excavations conducted in 2004 and 2005, no gold diadem was found. It makes these findings even more precious. Besides his work on burials, Rea also pointed to the possibility of a habitation area, which was traced in subsequent excavations. Rea’s extensive exploration of the Thamirabarani River valley led to the identification of 38 sites. He suggested that Adichanallur might have been a trade hub and centre of pearl fishery, potentially leading to the establishment of Korkai as a seaport. His extensive work led to the protection of 114 acres of land in 1921. After Rea, the site was briefly studied by JR Henderson in 1915 and then extensively excavated again by ASI’s Sathyabama Badrinath between 2003 and 2005. The Archaeological Survey of India along with the State Department of Archaeology excavated the site again from 2019 to 2022. This type of urn burial is typical in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Karnataka. The one in the Thamirabarani valley is by far the best preserved. The burials are associated with the Iron Age/Megalithic Culture.

Urn burials of Adichanallur
The subcontinent has a long history of diverse burial practices dating back to prehistoric times. Adichchnallur’s urn burial involved placing the deceased skeletal remains in a pottery vessel and burying it in a man-made pit. Scholars suggest that the urns were used to protect the deceased from scavengers. It was based on the belief that the dead would use the same body in their afterlife. Red murram or fractured quartz were the natural formations in the region and the burial pits were cut into them. In a few cases, the pit was dug deep and an urn was placed at the bottom and the top half was filled with murram. Excavations revealed urns with either full, fragmentary or no bones but with grave goods (items buried along with the body). In the case of a complete skeleton,

it was often placed in a crouched position. In some instances, double burials—with the remains of two individuals—were also found. Urns are also in a variety of shapes and are mostly in Red Ware or Black and Red Ware. A few have surface decorations and are closed with a lid. These features of urn burials are typical of the southern Indian Iron Age and especially of Tamil Nadu’s cultural fabric as they continued till the 12th century CE. The later excavations also revealed a habitation area with two pottery kilns, a bead manufacturing workshop, a plethora of pottery which was different from the burial pottery and a large number of iron objects. Multiple analyses done by archaeo-botanists, metallurgists, anthropologists and experts have illuminated the rich past of Adichanallur. Interestingly, a study published in 2010 suggested that this prehistoric site is one of the ‘longest open-cast mines of ancient times’. This makes the site not only a trade hub and a pearl fishery centre but also a mining centre. It provides an explanation for the elaborate burial practice at the site which is dated to c.850 to 650 BCE.

Iconic site? Not yet
When Nirmala Sitharaman visited Adichanallur in 2021 and laid the foundation of a new site museum, it felt like a departure from the north-centric or rather Harappan-centric focus of the government. But a recent PIL was filed in the Madras High Court regarding the renovation of the existing site museum and the progress of the new site museum begs us to question the delay. The Madras High Court on 12 July asked authorities to report the reasoning behind the delay and propose a plan of action for a new site museum. The status of the work is still unknown. What is evident is that there is no site museum, despite heavy government funding and support. However, the buck does not stop at museums, the stakeholders and authorities must make this site a tourism hub and popularise its significance. This will help in attaining the ‘iconic’ status. Disha Ahluwalia is an archaeologist and junior research fellow at the Indian Council Of Historical Research. Views are personal. She tweets @ahluwaliadisha.

https://theprint.in/opinion/tamil-nadu-has-the-largest-iron-age-urn-burial-site-we-must-look-beyond-our-harappa-frenzy/2338006/, November 6, 2024

The Odisha chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) on Tuesday said that the heritage well near the 13th century protected Ananta Vasudeva temple has been filled up and concrete platforms are being made after landfilling the area. The plot adjoining the Ananta Vasudeva temple was earmarked for shifting the kitchen complex, which at present is adjoining the temple. The well water was used in the cooking of the Prasad prior to the days of piped water supply. It said both the ASI and the NMA have been repeatedly demanding the shifting of the Roshaghara outside the prohibited zone. The then Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) V Vidyavathi, during her visit in February 2022, had expressed concern over the threat to the monument from the fire and smoke emanating from the kitchen located just about 2.5 metres from the main shrine. Apart from the intricately carved temple walls, there are two rare inscriptions placed near the kitchen. While giving its NOC to the Ekamra Kshetra Heritage Development Project, the NMA too had recommended that the kitchen should be shifted to an appropriate location outside the complex. Demands for shifting the kitchen have been made time and again by INTACH for over a decade. There have been multiple occasions when the temple kitchen – previously a thatched roof structure which has now been replaced by asbestos – has caught fire. There are 20 wood fired chullahs inside the kitchen which are owned by 25 Suar Nijog families. The making and sale of the Prasad in the adjacent Ananda Bazar is the bread earner of nearly 700 Nijog members.

According to Anil Dhir, the Convener of INTACH’s Bhubaneswar Chapter, the ASI norms do not allow cooking ‘prasad’ in large quantities in such close proximity to the temple. The 2018 fire had damaged the entire kitchen and the main temple to a great extent. In 2013, the government had asked the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to build a new kitchen in the adjacent plot and work in now underway. The Ananta Vasudeva Plaza plan was incorporated in the Ekamra Khestra Project which would have housed both the kitchen and the Ananda Bazar.

However, the plot is presently being converted into a small path and a garden. Enquiries with the authorities have not elicited any definite plan. The records of the said plot retrieved from the R.I. office state the existence of a well. Filling it up is a criminal and punishable offence, he said, adding that the use of heavy machinery near the temple is in gross violation of the Amasar rules.

Dhir claimed that the authorities have gone on a haphazard and unplanned spree of construction and demolition by throwing all rules into the dustbin. A hastily convened committee has been formed without any experts or local stakeholders, and the unfinished work of the previous regime is being taken up with renewed vigour. A.B.Tripathy, the state Convener of INTACH, is of the opinion that the well should not have been filled up and emphasised the necessity of a separate kitchen outside the complex. He also mentioned that the Ground Penetration Report made by IIT Gandhinagar should be made public and no further construction or demolition should be allowed in any of the prohibited zones. When contacted, Dr N K Swain of ASI’s Bhubaneswar circle said he will go through the views expressed by INTACH and thoroughly examine the issue.

https://odishabytes.com/heritage-well-of-ananta-vasudeva-temple-in-bhubaneswar-destroyed-intach-odisha-chapter/, November 11, 2024

The Amritsar Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Punjab, celebrated the 244th birth anniversary of the legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Dinanagar Baradri. The organization with the support of heritage-related institutions organized a function at Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Summer Palace, a heritage site, at Dina Nagar where a special memorial service was also held. An essay competitions were organised in various schools across the city. Before the start of the event, students of the school cleaned the Baradri campus. After this, beautiful pandals were decorated on the Baradri campus. Speaking on the occasion, Major General Balwinder Singh, Punjab convener, said INTACH was contemplating to take Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s legacy in every district by organising awareness campaigns throughout Punjab. Gagandeep Singh Virk, Amritsar convener of INTACH, said they got to play a major role in saving this vanishing building related to the rich heritage of the state. He said the best way to save these heritage buildings is to turn these spots into tourist places.

On the occasion, a booklet prepared by Amritsar INTACH containing the writings of history writers and journalists Surinder Kochhar and Inderjit Singh Harpura, was also presented to the public. Meanwhile, the Amritsar Vikas Manch also celebrated his birth anniversary and gathered near the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh situated at the historical Ram Bagh garden. The organisation members expressed their dismay over the current dismal conditions at the historic garden. Principal Kulwant Singh Ankhi, Manmohan Singh Brar and Hardip Singh Chahal, all patrons of the organization, said the floor of the platform on which the staute stands has been broken. The tiles of the platform have come off.

The statue may fall and collapse anytime. The custodian of the Ram Bagh has turned a blind eye towards the maintenance of the historic garden. Insiders say that most of the gardeners employed for the maintenance of the garden are deputed with the officers, a big concern to be addressed. AVM members paid rich tributes to the legendary Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh and demanded from the MC Commissioner to restore the glory of the Ram Bagh.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/maharaja-ranjit-singhs-244th-birth-anniversary-celebrated/, November 12, 2024

Researchers from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) have recently uncovered a stone inscription dating back to nearly 827 years in Maduthuru village, located in Achutapuram mandal, Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The inscription was found as part of an initiative to list and document historic Kalingan sites in Andhra Pradesh, a project spearheaded by the Odisha state chapter of INTACH. This exploration was led by Deepak Kumar Nayak, project coordinator of INTACH, alongside member Suman Prakash Swain and epigraphist Bishnu Mohan Adhikari. Adhikari, who deciphered the inscription, explained that the text is carved on a stone panel affixed to the wall of the Chodeswara Shiva temple in Maduthuru village, written in Telugu language and script.

The inscription reveals that the temple was built by three brothers—Prolli Setti, Poti Setti, and Bhami Setti—who were the sons of Sittamma Setti. It also notes that land endowments were made to support the temple’s upkeep and to ensure the perpetual lighting of a lamp. The figure of a couchant bull, the royal insignia of the Eastern Ganga dynasty is found carved in the top portion of the inscribed stone panel. INTACH project coordinator Deepak Kumar Nayak stated that the grant mentioned in the inscription was issued in the first regnal year of King Rajaraja Deva III, around 1197-98 CE. Rajaraja III was the grandson of famous Eastern Ganga monarch, Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. Notably, a copper grant of Rajaraja III discovered in Dashagoba village of Puri district, corroborates that the grand Jagannath temple of Puri was reconstructed by Chodaganga Deva.

https://www.orissapost.com/827-year-old-inscription-found-at-shiva-temple-in-maduthuru/, November 13, 2024

The Mandi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organised a one-day workshop on the Mandi Kalam miniature painting style for school students at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Mandi yesterday. The workshop aimed at preserving and reviving the rich cultural heritage of the region’s mediaeval folk painting tradition. A total of 62 students from various schools participated in the event. The primary goal of the workshop was to raise awareness among the younger generation about the intricate Mandi Kalam style, which has deep historical roots in the region. The workshop was inaugurated by Mandi Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rohit Rathour. He said a painting competition and exhibition would be held during the upcoming Shivratri fair in Mandi, providing an opportunity for young artists to showcase their skills and promote local art. “This wil allow the hidden talent among the youth to come to the fore,” he remarked. Naresh Malhotra, convenor of the INTACH’s Mandi chapter, welcomed the gathering and emphasised the importance of preserving traditional art forms. He revealed that all the paintings created by students during the workshop would be exhibited in the near future, offering them wider exposure. Co-convener Anil Sharma expressed hope that the workshop would spark greater interest in the art among the students. He also commended the students for their enthusiasm and creativity throughout the event. The workshop was conducted by Mandi Kalam expert Rajesh and his disciple Parul Kapoor, who shared their expertise with the students on the history, techniques, and use of colours while making the paintings. They guided the participants through the steps of creating their own miniature paintings, incorporating the traditional style into their artwork. The students, representing schools such as DAV Sanitary Public School, Alpine Public School, Vijay Senior Secondary School, and several others, displayed a range of beautiful paintings, reflecting the unique style of Mandi Kalam. Among the schools, the paintings created by students from DAV, Ner Chowk, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Nagar, and Guru Govind Singh Senior Secondary School were adjudged the best. At the closing ceremony, ADC Rathour presented mementos to the top-performing schools and certificates of participation to all the students who took part in the workshop. The event was attended by dignitaries, including INTACH members Dr Harish Bahl, Ajay, Kamal Malhotra, Rajeev, Banita Malhotra, Indu Sharma, Neeraj Sharma, Harish, and DIET coordinator Rakesh Kumar. Painters Rajesh and Parul Kapoor, along with Kumar Aman, were also present to assist the students during the workshop. The workshop marked a significant step toward preserving the traditional art form of Mandi Kalam while simultaneously engaging and inspiring the younger generation to appreciate and carry forward the region’s cultural heritage.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/art-culture-trust-holds-workshop-on-traditional-miniature-painting-style/, November 14, 2024

The INTACH Nagaland Chapter held two events namely- “The All India National Poster & Essay Competition on the theme “Celebrating India” and “Learn a Craft” workshop on bamboo mat making, in collaboration with NBRC, Sovima, on November 8. The two events threw up over 100 students from Classes 7-9 participated, representing the following schools: Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, Charis High Academy, Delhi Public School, Christian Hr. Sec. School, St. Mary’s Hr. Sec. School, Little Star Hr. Sec. School, Christina Memorial Hr. Sec. School. The art and essays of the participants competing in the All India National Competition will be sent to New Delhi for judging, to determine national-level winners. The INTACH Nagaland Chapter extends its thanks to all participating schools and Albert Ezung, Team Leader of NBRC, for the collaboration.

https://nagalandpage.com/intach-nagaland-chapter-organizes-poster-essay-competition/, November 14, 2024

Nearly 10,000 objects have so far been unearthed from Vembakkottai ever since the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) began excavations in 2022. Archaeologists have recovered jasper and chert stones - core materials used to manufacture ornaments and tools for hunting animals - from Vembakkottai in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu where the third phase of excavation is underway since June this year. Nearly 10,000 objects have so far been unearthed from Vembakkottai ever since the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) began excavations in 2022. In the third phase, which is ongoing, over 2,400 artefacts have been recovered between June and November. “Jasper and chert stones, raw materials that are used to manufacture ancient ornaments and tools used for hunting animals, have been found in the third phase of excavations. This evidence shows the design skills of ancient Tamils,” said Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who also holds the additional charge of archaeology.

TNSDA officials told DH that the recovery of jasper and chert stones serve as further evidence to show continuous habitation from the microlithic age. They added that they have been unearthing flake and fluted core materials which are used to produce ornaments from 2022. “Unearthing of such raw materials show that the archaeological site has been continuously under habitation from pre historic-medieval times; semi-precious stone beads like carnelian, agate, amethyst and crystal have also been unearthed from here,” a senior TNSDA official told DH. In 2023, out of the 4,600 antiquities unearthed in Vembakottai, almost half were glass beads, while beads and figurines made of terracotta were 94 and 27 in number respectively.

Likewise, 2,985 antiquities were unearthed from the site in 2022. Glass beads of various colours, shell bangles, glass bangles, terracotta beads, spindle whorls, terracotta gamesmen, smoking pipes, terracotta pendant, toy objects, terracotta figurines, terracotta weighing units, iron objects and copper objects have also been found during the digging.

The potteries collected from Vembakottai are classified into five types as red ware, red slipped ware, black slipped ware, black and red ware, and brown slipped ware. The archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu have created a buzz in the past few years as they threw up surprises – artefacts unearthed in Keeladi near Madurai pushed the Sangam Era to 600 BCE from 300 BCE, rice husks found in a burial urn in Sivakalai was found to be 3,200 years old, and showed that Tamils were aware of iron technology in 2172 BCE - 4,200 years ago. Carbon dating has pushed back the timeline of the Sangam Era by three hundred years from what it was thought to be – the ASI, which conducted the first two phases of excavation, also derived the period of the Sangam-era archaeological site to be between 8th century BCE to 3rd century CE.

https://nagalandpage.com/intach-nagaland-chapter-organizes-poster-essay-competition/, November 14, 2024