Tamil Nadu: A curious discovery was made on Tuesday morning during construction work on Nagai New Beach Road in Naga district. Ancient bronze statues were discovered while digging a pit for a house on the plot of Ramaprasanna, a resident of Nagai Neelavadaku Street.
According to local authorities and police, statues of Shiva, Parvati, and a small Muruga were found buried on the same platform. These bronze statues were approximately 2 feet tall. Additionally, the back portion of the Nataraja statue, also made of bronze, was also approximately 2 feet tall.
Ramaprasanna immediately informed the Velipalayam police about the discovery. Police arrived at the scene, examined the statues, and secured them. Officials stated that based on the structure and craftsmanship, they believe they may be ancient, but experts will be consulted to confirm this.
Later, the police handed over the statues to Nagai Revenue Commissioner Sankaranarayanan. The Commissioner stated that a team of experts is investigating the statues to determine their exact date and historical significance. He added that it is necessary to determine the century to which they belong, and measures will be taken to preserve them safely.
According to local archaeologists, the bronze statues of Shiva, Parvati, Muruga, and Nataraja are reminiscent of ancient temple art from South India. The position of the statues and their arrangement on the platform indicate that they may have been part of an ancient temple or religious site.
Ramprasanna stated that he never imagined that so many ancient and historical objects would be hidden on his plot. He stated that the safety and preservation of the statues is a priority for him and he will follow the administration’s instructions.
The police and administration have also appealed to local residents to refrain from unauthorized excavations at the site and to immediately inform authorities if anyone finds any antiquities. This will preserve the historical heritage and allow it to be properly evaluated by experts.
Experts say that if archaeological investigations of the statues are completed, they could prove important for studying the history and cultural heritage of Naga district. Furthermore, the discovery could also prove useful in the fields of tourism and education.
This discovery has piqued the interest of the local community and historians. All eyes are now on the findings released by the administration and the Archaeological Department, which will reveal the true antiquity of these statues and their historical significance.
