8th JULY 2026 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Gold Signet Ring Inscribed with "Tamizhi" Script Discovered in Thailand
- Archaeologists are conducting extensive excavations in the Dan Yai Thang area of Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. During the process, an ancient burial site was discovered. A complete excavation of the site revealed eight human skeletons, all buried with their heads positioned towards the northeast.
- Along with the remains, various artifacts used by these ancient people were recovered, including a gold ring. Historians immediately examined the ring. Ranjith Kumar of the 'Singapore-based group' has identified that the characters previously misread as Brahmi are actually Tamil-Brahmi script written as mirror images (reversed left-to-right).
- It has been confirmed that the ring, which bears an inscription carved in reverse (likely to facilitate stamping), carries the name of a Tamil individual, 'Alar Vairathan'. Archaeologist Santhalingam has stated that 'Alar' is a Tamil word denoting fertile *Marutham* land (agricultural plains).
- Excavations conducted by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology have uncovered a square-shaped step-well featuring brick masonry, dating back approximately 2,500 years to the Sangam era.
- This region holds historical significance; Roman gold coins were discovered here by a British official as early as 1930. Furthermore, researchers believe this area may have served as a key commercial hub during the Sangam era, as it was situated on an ancient trade route connecting Madurai to the west coast via the Sengottai Pass.
- So far, both habitation and burial zones have been identified during the excavation. A total of 16 trenches have been dug in the habitation area, bringing various archaeological evidences to light.
- The brick structure discovered here matches the dimensions and composition of bricks found at major Sangam-era excavation sites such as Keeladi, Arikamedu, Pattaraiperumbudur, Kaveripoompattinam, and Alagankulam.
- Based on this, the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department has confirmed that the structure belongs to the Sangam era. During the excavation, a square-shaped structure measuring 4 meters in length and 4 meters in width was uncovered; it features stone steps and masonry constructed from bricks measuring 40 cm in length, 20 cm in width, and 7 cm in thickness. A stepped well has been discovered.
- Stone steps have been constructed to descend into the well. The fact that the well's walls are built of brick while the steps are made of stone showcases the architectural craftsmanship of that era.
