Historic Importance Of Iron Age Culture In Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The Iron Age of Tamil Nadu is always identified with three important cultural components namely iron, black and red ware and the megalithic monuments. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the Iron Age succeeds Neolithic culture in northern Tamil Nadu and in southern Tamil Nadu it succeeds Microlithic culture. The introduction of iron, black-and-red ware and megalithic monuments are not identified in clear terms. As these three cultural items are observed in all the excavated sites, it is generally assumed that the Iron Age synchronizes with the megalithic culture in Tamil Nadu. The introduction of iron, black and red ware and sepulchral monuments are considered a coeval cultural infusion. The Iron Age overlaps with Chalcolithic culture in northern India whereas in South India it overlaps either with Neolithic or Microlithic culture. The excavations conducted at three different locations provided new evidence on mortuary practice. Nearly 265 Iron Age sites had been noticed in this entire valley and nearly 80 sites have been identified in the present exploration. The study of excavated material unearthed in Tamil Nadu would give a clue to understanding the cultural link that existed in this region. Keeping the cultural material unearthed in these excavated sites, standing apart in all aspects, it is very difficult to discern any constructive cultural information other than highlighting the existence of the human settlement of different kinds. The cultural term ‘megalithic’ is not only a misnomer but also stands as an inadequate term to define comprehensive and complex sepulchral monuments that are found in different ecological zones. The human settlements in the other two zone namely the upper and lower began with Iron Age. The archaeological findings made in the field and the limited excavations conducted in Tamil Nadu indicate that there is no cultural gap between the Iron Age and the Early Historic period.