Arikamedu Archaeological Site, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry
Arikamedu Archaeological Site is an archaeological site with links to Roman Empire located at Kakkayanthope in Ariyankuppam Commune in Union Territory of Puducherry. It is a picturesque mound surrounded by casuarina trees on the banks of the Ariyankuppam river. As the site is located at the bend of the river it provides protection to sea-going vessels that dock there. The site has been subject to extensive archaeological excavations.
The archaeological site is spread over an area of 34.57 acres (13.99 ha) and has been under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India since 1982. It is located on the bank of the Ariyankuppam River (for most part of the year the river is considered a lagoon), also known as Virampattinam River, which forms the northern outlet of the Gingee River as it joins the Bay of Bengal.
Etymology
The name Arikamedu, an archaeological usage for the excavated site, originates in a Tamil word that means Mound of Arakan, based on the figurine of an avatar (incarnation) of the Jain Tirthankara Mahavira found at the site. It is also linked with Viraiyapattinam or Virampattinam, meaning Port of Virai, a village next to Arikamedu. Virai, according to Sangam literature, was well known as a port and also for its salt pans during the Velir dynasty. Arikamedu-Virampattinam together find mention as Poduke, a major port in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea in the first century CE and as Poduke emporium in Ptolemy's Geographia of mid first century CE. Poduke is a Roman name and is also said to be a corrupted version of the Tamil name Potikai, meaning a "meeting place", also known for the local Poduvar clan.
History
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Excavations
The excavated area of the mound was demarcated into two zones on the basis of occupation and elevation. Northern sector of the mound is nearer to the sea coast while the southern sector is farther away from the coast. The ceramic finds of crockery and cooking vessels found in the northern sector were indicative of mass feeding of sailors and traders who camped there. Wine stored in amphorae was the principal item imported from the western countries during the latter part of the 2nd century BCE.
According to Wheeler the finds from the northern and southern part of the mound belong to the period from the later part of the 1st century BCE to the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. Identified structures include: A brick and lime mortar plaster structure of oblong shape 45 metres (148 ft.) in length, with a divide wall, used as a storehouse in the southern part. Two walled enclosures with ponds and drainage systems in the northern part of the mound that could indicate of dyeing operations that used vats to dye muslin for export.
Pottery, both local and Mediterranean, such as amphorae and Arrentine ware that belonged to the Terra Sigillata (stamped pottery) of the 1st century BCE, which went out of use by 50 CE. Pink amphorae jars used to store wine or oil with two handles and a yellow slip, found in all layers of excavations. Smaller objects include a wheel-turned black ware ceramic, a few terracotta figurines, shell beads, gems, gold, terracotta, iron nails, copper percussion beater, red fragment of a Roman lamp shade, an engraved emblem of emperor Augustus, an ivory handle, and a wooden toy boat.
Based on these antiquities Wheeler concluded that the Arikamedu was a Greek (Yavana) trading station. However, recent excavations by Begley have altered this assessment. The buildings in the northern part of the mound indicative urbanization, with people of different ethnic groups—Indian and non-Indian—but it has not been possible to date them in view of the limited depth of excavations.
Conservation
An international conference that the Government of Pondicherry and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held in October 2004 decided to investigate the Arikamedu site jointly for conservation, as its ancient commercial link with the Romans has been established. During this conference, the Government of Pondicherry also decided to propose the site for status as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The Archaeological Survey of India also proposed the site for UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site status, under the title Silk Road Sites in India.
Connectivity
The Site is located at about 2 Kms from Ariyankuppam, 2.5 Kms from Ariyankuppam Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Ariyankuppam New Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Chunnambar Boat House, 7 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 11 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 20 Kms from Cuddalore and 153 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Site is situated on Puducherry to Cuddalore Route (NH 45A). The place is well connected to Puducherry by means of Bus and Autos. If you are coming from Cuddalore or Pondicherry by Bus, Tourists are advised to get down at Ariyankuppam Bus Stop and take Auto from the Bus Stop to reach this place. Tourists are advised to go in groups to this place, as this place was secluded and became a haven for drunkards. There are also local private and government buses goes very close to this spot, but the frequency is limited. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location
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