Pattanam excavation is one of the important part of Muziris heritage project. The site is in a place called Pattanam (or Pattanam Kavala), which is 8 KM from Kodungallur and 25 KM from Cochin (North Paravoor). The site, which lies at the mouth of River Periyar, tells 3000-year-old story of an ancient port city called Muziris.
There were six major port cities, specified in Sangam literature. Among them was Muziris (Muchiri Pattanam). Although Muziris, a long-lost port city, specified in many ancient script, literature travelogues and maps, the exact location of this long-lost port city could not find for a great number of year. Historian argued on the location of this port city, and some say it was the same present day as Kodungallur as the ancient port city. But, depend on the various scripts and travelogue, ground surveys, research and experiments reveals more accurate location of this long-lost port city along with hard historical importance for Kerala. Archaeologists start the excavation to find more proofs about this ancient port with the help of KCHR and locals. Excavation of this site during 2004-2009 reveals much information concerning the importance of this ancient port city.
The evidence found out during excavation points, this port city was
connected to various known ancient cities/civilization such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, China etc for trade and cultural exchange. And, also proved that this site populated since Iron age. Archaeologists, called this site a multicultural site, have divided into five cultural periods depend on the layers and deposit.
- Iron age(1000 BC-500 BC)
- Iron age-Early Historic transition(500 BC-300 BC)
- Early Historic(300 BC-500 CE)
- Medieval(500 CE-1500 CE)
- Modern(1500 CE-...)
As mentioned early, the knowledge about this ancient port city has depicted in many legends, stories, travelogues of ancient travelers. This entire port city, once thriving, wiped out without clues for its location or existence, many years because of the great flood happened in Periyar river in 1341 AD.
This excavation site has temporarily closed, but the museum, in this location, is open to all and the artifacts excavated so far, all displayed here. In the museum, you can find artifacts excavated from this location, arranged in its chronological order. Below are some photos took from the museum.
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Intaglio is a semi-precious stone with a design cut or carved into its surface. Intaglio sometime used as seal stone, ring-stones or pendants. The engraved subject has sunk beneath the surface as a negative image. The leaping lion intaglio measures 1.2 x 1.0 cm, and belonged to the early historic period and the Fortuna intaglio measuring from 1.5 x 1.0 cm and belonged to the early centuries of Christian Era. The human figure in the intaglio is the Roman goddess Fortuna and has similarity to the Greek goddess Tyche.
Amphorae shreds found in Pattanam were containers for transporting wine. It has identified that shreds of amphorae excavated at Pattanam originates from different location around Mediterranean, such as, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Syria, Spain, France and Egypt.
A sliced stone in the above picture, which looks like a sliced cheese, shows that advanced stone slicing technology of Pattanam in early historic periods, which is approximately 2000 years ago.
The beads found at Pattanam are of the Indo-Pacific variety, which are found in the Indian subcontinent and many contemporary port sites in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea
The finding of these symbols and scripts shows that people of the ancient Pattanam had a writing system. The styles of letters dated to 2nd century CE. Swastika symbols on shreds may also give light to ancient Pattanam port contacting other port city. Similar kind of Swastika impression on shreds and seals also found at Indus civilization. Lothal was a thriving port city in ancient time which is one of the Indus civilization. But, timing of these civilizations has much distinction, but the influence of Indus Civilization can find all around the subcontinent. So, let's wait for the time being until it comes to light.
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From ancient times to present, Arabian region is known for the production of best quality frankincense. Frankincense also found in different parts of India including Western Ghats.
The papyrus found out at the Pattanam excavation site reveals that it's an agreement between a merchant from Muziris and a banker in Alexandria. It details the commercial exchange between the Mediterranean and the Malabar coast on the Indian Ocean. This agreement dated back to 2nd century CE.
Glazed Jar
This brown glazed jar belonged to the period of 15th-16th century CE. It clearly points ancient Pattanam's connection with China and Southeast Asia.
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Iron,Copper,Lead
At Pattanam, iron used. The tools made from iron were kitchen tools, axes, farming tools, chisel (for manufacturing purpose), hooks, chains, rings and nails. Study shows, iron metallurgy have practiced at Pattanam. At the hinterland of Pattanam avails Iron-rich lateritic soil, which gives ores for metallurgy. The presence of many smiting slag in Pattanam gives the good evidence for practice of ironworks.
Coins, made using lead and copper, found out at Pattanam gives the information regarding economy. These coins of different shapes have a variety of motif, styles and inscriptions on it.
Koorayodu
Tubular Jars
Storage/Soakage Jars
Ring Well
The various styled tiles and bricks found at Pattanam emphasize the urbanization of this ancient port. The type of bricks unearthed at Pattanam also found in other port city and sites across subcontinent. The structures built at Pattanam used well burned bricks of rectangular or square shape. The various tiles (roof tiles) along with bricks unearthed from Pattanam show the cultural shift. For example, the Koorayodu (Medieval period) unearthed from Pattanam shows the decline in trade activities and dissertation (partial) of the site.
The storage jars excavated at Pattanam were used to storing things, such as grain, water, and other things. These jars have thick rim and large convex body. It also used as a soakage jar in toilet features. The soakage jars had found below the floor level of the brick structures. These features show the standard of living and concern for hygiene.
The ring well known as Manikkinar in Malayalam found at many sites in the Subcontinent used as walls in wells. Large number of broken and few intact terracotta ring-wells have found during excavation at Pattanam.
At Pattanam, one of the most important finding was a 2500-year-old, 6 meter long wooden canoe made using Anjili (Artocarpus hirsutus Lam) . The carbon dating shows that this canoe belongs to first century BCE - first century CE.
Archaeologist and historians debated over the location of this long-lost port city for many years. Valmiki, Silapddikaram by Ilango Adigal, Manimekhalai found the mentioning of this port in the most famous tale and legends in Indian continent such as Ramayana by Chithalai Chathanar and Akananuru of Sangam literature. Pliny the Elder, Ptolemy, Strabo describes about the Greco-Roman trade with this port city as well. But, the historical evidence was not enough to support the existence of this port city. All the description says that Muziris was the entrance gate for trading in Indian subcontinent. It was called as the first emporium of the orient. Pattanam, in ancient language, identified as ferry, port site, port city etc, and known as Muziris, Muchiri Pattanam, Mucherri Pattanam, Muyirikode. Muziris, the emporium of the orient, welcomes the Jews, Islam, Christians into this subcontinent, who lived peacefully.
People lives here since Iron age. Peoples from different location and nation came here for trade, which begins before the Christian era. Peoples from different nation, culture, religion coexist here peacefully. The human habitation continued here up to 10 AD. But, between 10 AD - 16thcentury, there is no evidence of people lived here (dark age). After, 16thcentury to 17th century, the evidence of very less human habitation found here. The historical importance of this site included with various monuments, peoples, traditions, beliefs covering 50 km around this site. The 20 KM perimeter under water expedition is also in consideration.
Related Links:
Muziris is #munchirai, not pattanam or kodungalloor
ReplyDeletehttps://www.academia.edu/116290369/THE_DISCOVERY_OF_MUZIRIS_chapter3
https://youtu.be/nGGKYKYpII0?si=FiYLR3XETBYngV1_
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DeleteI heard about this site in 2008 in Indian History Congress conducted in Kannur University Campus. and visited this site in 2017. The excavation site was closed but visited the museum and learned and took photographs. Same day visited the other historical places such as Kottappuram Fort, Cheraman Mosque and Thiruvanchikulam temple. As it was Monday holiday to all museum and summer rain was also pouring. I did lot of searching regarding this port city but the name of this city as you ,Sir, commented is a new information, Thanks a lot. And also there are also recent excavations in Keezhadi which is urban settlement like Indus-Sraswati civilization. Is there any connection with these
DeleteIn ancient time port city was named with postfix Pattanam. For instance the place named Valapattanam in ancient time called Baliyapatnam a port city in Naura(Kannur)
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