Published on 14 Oct 2025
Edakkal Caves
The Edakkal Caves are an archaeological site located in Kerala, India, and they contain rock engravings that date back to different periods of prehistoric and early historic times. The caves are known for their rock engravings, which are considered to be one of the earliest examples of human writing and artistic expressions in South India.
Rock Engravings: Edakkal Caves walls depict a variety of motifs, including human figures, animals, symbols, and other abstract designs. They are believed to be from the Neolithic and Megalithic periods.
Historical Significance: The rock engravings at Edakkal are considered important as they provide valuable insights into the prehistoric human civilization and its cultural practices in the region. They are regarded as evidence of early human interaction with the natural environment and as a form of communication and artistic expression.
Link with IVC: The Edakkal Cave contains petroglyphs which date back 8,000 years, is believed to have some connections with the Indus Valley Civilization.
Interpretation: Scholars and experts have proposed various hypotheses regarding their significance, ranging from religious or ritualistic representations to depictions of daily life activities and cosmological beliefs.
Preservation and Tourism: The Edakkal Caves have been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India and have become a popular tourist destination.
Keeladi Report and Sangam Age
Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has presented a report on the findings at the Sangam-era site of Keeladi and their significance. Keeladi is a village in south Tamil Nadu along the Vaigai river near the temple city of Madurai. This site is estimated to be from the period between the 5th century BCE and the 3rd century CE.
Findings from Keeladi Excavation
Potential linkages with IVC: Some of the symbols found in pot sherds of Keeladi bear a close resemblance to signs of Indus Valley.
Keeladi and Sangam age: The unearthed artifacts from Keeladi belong to a period between 6th century BCE and 1st century BCE. These findings pushed the Sangam age to 800 BCE.
Urban Civilization: Excavations in Keeladi prove that an urban civilization existed in Tamil Nadu in the Sangam era on the banks of the river Vaigai.
Link to Iron Age: Many antiquities have been unearthed that provide crucial evidence to understanding the missing links of the Iron Age (12th century BCE to 6th century BCE) to the Early Historic Period (6th century BCE to 4th century BCE) and subsequent cultural developments.
Literate society: Tamil Brahmi letters found were inscribed when the pot was wet or after the pot became dry. This clearly suggests literacy levels in the 6th century BC.
Agrarian society that reared cattle: Skeletal fragments of cow/ox, buffalo, sheep, goat, nilgai, blackbuck, wild boar and peacock were found.
High standard of living: Long walls, well-laid floors along with roof tiles in a collapsed state, iron nails fastened to the poles and rafters prove a high standard of living during the Sangam age.
Items found: Brick structures, terracotta ring wells, fallen roofing with tiles, golden ornaments, broken parts of copper objects, iron implements, terracotta chess pieces, ear ornaments, black and redware, besides beads made of glass, terracotta and semi-precious stones.
Graffiti marks: They are found in earthenware, caves and rocks in or near the excavation sites.
History & Culture
Significance of South Civilization
Edakkal Caves
prehistoric period
Rock Engraving
Neolithic period
Megalithic period
Archaeological Survey of India
Keeladi
sangam age
Vaigai river
pot sherds of Keeladi
Iron Age
Graffiti marks
General Studies Paper 1
Indian Heritage and Culture
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