Tue Jul 08 10:39:14 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) is using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating to determine the age of artifacts found at seven archaeological sites across Tamil Nadu. 23 charcoal samples from the 2024-25 excavation season have been sent to a lab in the United States for analysis. The sites include Keeladi (Sivaganga district), Chennanoor (Krishnagiri district), Tirumalapuram (Tenkasi district), Marungur (Cuddalore district), Porpanaikkottai (Pudukottai district), Kongalnagaram (Tiruppur district), and Thulukkarpatti (Tirunelveli district). The Keeladi site yielded over 500 antiquities, including inscribed potsherds and red-slipped ware with fish motifs, during its 10th phase of excavation. Other notable finds include a stone slab chamber with urn burials excavated at Tirumalapuram, a first for Tamil Nadu. The results of the AMS testing are expected in two months.
**News Article:**
**Tamil Nadu Archaeologists Send Charcoal Samples for Dating, Aiming to Uncover Ancient Secrets**
**CHENNAI, July 8, 2025** – The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) is employing cutting-edge technology to delve deeper into the state’s rich history. The department has dispatched 23 charcoal samples, excavated from seven key archaeological sites across Tamil Nadu during the 2024-25 season, to the Beta Analytic laboratory in the United States for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating.
The AMS testing aims to establish a precise timeline for the cultural deposits found at these sites. Sites contributing samples include the prominent Keeladi excavation in Sivaganga district, as well as Chennanoor (Krishnagiri district), Tirumalapuram (Tenkasi district), Marungur (Cuddalore district), Porpanaikkottai (Pudukkottai district), Kongalnagaram (Tiruppur district), and Thulukkarpatti (Tirunelveli district).
“This testing is crucial for understanding the age and context of the artifacts we’ve unearthed,” said a source within the TNSDA. “We anticipate receiving the results within the next two months.”
The 10th phase of excavations at Keeladi yielded over 500 antiquities, including 100 inscribed potsherds and distinctive red-slipped ware adorned with fish motifs. Meanwhile, at Tirumalapuram, archaeologists made a significant discovery: a stone slab chamber containing urn burials, a first for the state. During excavations at Porpanaikkottai, 11 trenches yielded 1,792 antiquities, including pottery, glass beads, and bangles.
In addition to AMS dating, the TNSDA is utilizing a suite of scientific methods to analyze the unearthed materials, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of Tamil Nadu’s ancient past. The results from these investigations are expected to shed light on the region’s cultural heritage and its place in the broader historical context.
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