Ancient Faces of Southern India: Digital reconstructions Reveal Secrets of a Lost Civilization
Kondagai, Tamil Nadu – Two men who lived 2,500 years ago in what is now southern India have been vividly brought to life through stunning digital reconstructions. The project, based on skulls unearthed at the Kondagai burial site in Tamil Nadu, is offering unprecedented insight into a complex, yet largely mysterious, urban civilization that flourished centuries ago.
The realistic facial models are the result of meticulous work analyzing the skulls discovered at Kondagai, believed to be the burial ground for the nearby archaeological site of Keeladi. “We are attempting to learn more about the enigmatic inhabitants of Keeladi,” explains Kumaresan Ganesan, head of the Department of Genetics at Madurai Kamaraj University, who led the analysis of the human remains.
Keeladi, first identified by the Archaeological Survey of India in 2013, is revealing itself as a remarkably advanced culture dating back to around 580 B.C. excavations, though limited to a small portion of the settlement so far, have uncovered evidence of brick houses with tiled roofs, a thriving trade network reaching distant regions, and a written language utilizing an ancient form of the Tamil script. Perhaps most impressively,the Keeladi people demonstrated sophisticated technological prowess,including advanced water management systems.
The two skulls used for the reconstructions were excavated in 2021,found within burial urns alongside grave goods – jewelry,pottery,and even food offerings – indicative of complex burial rituals and beliefs. An anatomical analysis suggests the men were both between 50 and 60 years old at the time of their deaths, though the cause of death remains unknown.
Researchers are now turning to ancient DNA extracted from the skulls and othre remains at Kondagai, hoping to unlock further secrets about the origins, lifestyle, and eventual fate of this fascinating civilization. The ongoing work at Keeladi promises to rewrite our understanding of ancient India and the rich tapestry of its early urban growth.
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