Excavations to unearth hoary past of western region

COIMBATORE: Archaeologists and historians are upbeat after the government announced that archaeological excavations would be carried out at Vellalore in Coimbatore, and Telunganur in Salem and a Noyyal Museum would be established in Erode district. They say the excavations throw light on the hoary past of the western region. The previous excavation in the region was done at Kodumanal in Erode.

B Meenakshi Sundaram, a writer and historian, said Vellalore was an important point of trade in the Kongu region, in the early centuries of the Common Era (CE). “Rajakesari Peruvazhi, an ancient trade route which connected the east and west coasts, passed through this region and Vellalore was a key landmark for trade on the route. Vellalore existed before the formation of Coimbatore and many archaeological excavations have been performed here since the 19th century. Various gold coins were excavated here, which showed evidence of trade between regional towns, as well as the Roman Empire. Many coins had images of Roman generals including Claudius and Nero. The pride of Vellalore was also mentioned in Sangam lyrics.”