* Excavation expected to shed more light on Chola period * M. Balaganessin *Six-month project kicks off in Utkottai village * — PHOTO: M. Balaganessin
* PAST PERFECT: Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Archaeology, T. S. Sridhar and Ariyalur Collector R. Sudalaikannan having a glimpse of the earlier excavations at Utkottai on Saturday. *
ARIYALUR: As a follow-up to its efforts taken up twice till 1991, the State Department of Archaeology has taken up a six-month excavation project at Utkottai, an ancient Chola village near Gangaikondacholapuram in the district.
The earlier excavations, conducted during 1981-1985 and later in 1991, brought to light the hidden structures of a metropolis such as fort wall, moat and a lake for irrigation and supply of drinking water.
"The current excavation will throw more light on the palace and other structures of the Chola period," said Principal Secretary and Commissioner to the Department of Archaeology, T.S. Sridhar, who inaugurated the work in the village on Saturday.
The focus of the excavation would be on documenting historical events with a focus on chronology, cultural sequence and context.
Likening the popularity of Gangaikondacholapuram, the secondary capital of the Cholas or 250 years to that of the Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagar dynasty, Mr. Sridhar said that the excavation would determine the extent of the remains of the palace of Rajendra Chola I and throw light on art and architecture of that era.
Collection of more invaluable antiquities such as beads, coins and iron objects or wares; Chinese celedon and porcelain ware and establishment of trade and commercial contact between China and South India will be some of the highlights of the excavation, he said.
He said that the State government had sanctioned Rs.3 lakh for the current excavation, which would be taken up by a team of 25 persons, including officials from the Department.
"Every care will be taken to retain the original structure, without causing any damage to the stone or inscriptions."