2,000-year-old burial site lost to apathy

COIMBATORE: It was a structure that nature had preserved for over 2,000 years. Unfortunately man’s greed was enough to destroy the megalithic burial site discovered near here, in a matter of months.The site was discovered at Veerapandi Pudur in Chinna Thadagam, at the foot of Anaikatty Hills here in October last year. Four feet tall pottery items, believed to be over 2,000-years-old, were uncovered while digging the ground for some work. A few human bones were also found inside an urn,  known as Mudhumakkal Thazhi (ancient burial urn). Buried in the soil, it remained intact for centuries. It was marked by stones kept in circles to identify the spot. There were at least 30 to 40 such stone circles yet to be dug up. The discovery was informed to the president of the panchayat concerned. Her husband Natarajan, also her spokesperson, then assured journalists that the issue would be taken up with the department concerned.This reporter and a photojournalist visited the place some time back, only to find that the land has been tilled. Also, the place has been dug up to mine clay for the many brick-kilns in the area. The remains of a clay urn and the flat huge stones covering it were found broken into bits. When contacted, Natarajan feigned ignorance. When it was pointed out that he was told about the urn around six months ago, he admitted, “As we did not consider it to be of archaeological importance, we did not pursue it. Nor did we inform the authorities.”