Madurai: Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced that Rs 17 crore has been allocated for the construction of an open air museum at the Keezhadi excavation site to display the artefacts and structures excavated at the site.
Tamil people across the world are united by the word ‘Keezhadi’, the minister said, adding that excavations near Madurai on the banks of the Vaigai river have unearthed the remains of a magnificent Sangam-era civilization.
Notably, the new museum will be second only to the Keizadi Museum inaugurated by Chief Minister Stalin last year, which displays around 13,000 artefacts.
The minister said an additional Rs 3 crore was sanctioned for a study to determine the genetic antiquity, migration patterns, agricultural practices, cultural traditions and dietary habits of the ancient people using advanced genetics technology in the laboratory at Madurai Kamaraj University. Are.
G Kumaresan, head of MKU’s genetics department, said 10 samples of the artefact have been tested, and one billion fragments of DNA have been sequenced so far.
Minister Thennarasu also announced that excavations will be carried out at eight locations in 2024-25: Keezhadi in Sivagangai, Vembakottai in Virudhunagar, Tirumalapuram in Tenkasi, Porpanaikottai in Pudukkottai, Keelanamandi in Tiruvannamalai, Konkalnagar in Tiruppur, Marungur in Cuddalore and Chennanur in Krishnagiri. .
“Archaeological expeditions will also be conducted outside the state, in Musiri, Kerala; Palur, Odisha; Vengi in Andhra Pradesh and Maski in Karnataka, in an effort to better understand the ancient Tamils,” the minister said.
A total of Rs 5 crore has been allocated for the purpose, the minister said, adding that Tamil Nadu is the only state in the country that has consistently provided significant funds for various archaeological efforts.
Besides, to commemorate the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization in 1924 by Sir John Marshall, the then Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, a centenary conference will be organized in Chennai, which will be attended by renowned scholars from across the world, the minister said.
Tamil Nadu to conduct pilot study on deep sea exploration
Minister Thenarasu said the state government, in collaboration with the National Institute of Ocean Technology and the Indian Maritime University, will conduct a pilot study to conduct deep-sea drilling in the coastal areas of Korkai and Alagankulam, the ancient ports of the Pandyas. Cost `65 lakh.
