Kerala's early maritime history unravelled

Kochi, Apr 1 (UNI) Archaeologists have unearthed invaluable artifacts dating back to second century which shed light to the rich maritime history of the Malabar Coast.

The Pattanam excavations near here conducted by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) had brought to light a wharf with dug-out canoe, water well, Chera coins, Roman pottery, West Asian ceramics, beads made of semi-precious stones and brick structures indicating the rich maritime heritage of the Malabar Coast, said KCHR Director P J Cherian in a preliminary research report.

He said the excavations had revealed that the site, near Kodungalur, was first occupied by the indigenous megalithic (Iron Age) people followed by the Roman contact in the early historic phase and was occupied in the early medieval period.

''It appears that the site was continuously occupied at least from 2nd century BC to 10th century AD. However radiocarbon dating results are awaited for confirmation,'' Mr Cherian said.

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