In a landmark discovery, geologists in Tamil Nadu have chanced upon conclusive evidence of ancient sunken temples off the coast of Mamallapuram in their latest expedition. The researchers are confident of further discoveries, and they could also find remains of the entire sunken town.
It all started with rumours post 2004 tsunami, when tourists in the temple town of Mahabalipuram discovered boulders that were revealed because the shoreline had receded back then. But it was quickly engulfed again as the waters rushed to the shores.
This discovery by geologists has certainly confirmed that those were not mere rumours by tourists. It is a fact that an ancient port town is buried under the sea.
Geologists, along with archaeologists, embarked upon the latest expedition between March 10 and 18 this year, about 800 metres from the shore, 27 feet deep.
The team of 10 from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) found a 10 metre long wall, a stone block structure and a flight of stairs. They reported that thick aquatic growth made identifying specifics quite difficult some of the structures were damaged over time.
The archeologists in the team date the remains found under sea to about 1000 or 1500 years back, being brick structures probably from the Sangham period.
Submerged Temple at Mamllapuram
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook an expedition to the area in 2005, soon after the tourist sighting of the row of rocks. Indian Navy helped ASI by providing sonar detector to look for the remains. They discovered a 6-foot high 70 metre wall, along with a cave temple and two other temples.
The legend about the six sunken temples states that there were six other temples on the shoreline, along with the famous Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram. Together, they were called the Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram, which were built in the 8th century under Narasimhavarman II. According to some historians, a tsunami in 952 AD engulfed and swallowed the temples, along with its adjacent town and port.
The article first published on www.lafdatv.com
No comments:
Post a Comment