2 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Jul 18, 2024 08:27 AM IST
They threw it in fear and it broke, but instead of an explosive, what remained scattered across the ground were coins and objects that looked like gold and silver ornaments. The women workers last week handed over the collection to local panchayat authorities, who in turn informed the archaeology department.
On July 13, MGNREGA workers in Kerala’s Chengalayi village in Kannur were digging pits for rainwater harvesting when they found a pot. At first, they thought it contained a crude bomb as Kannur had seen incidents of abandoned articles exploding on being opened.
They threw it in fear and it broke, but instead of an explosive, what remained scattered across the ground were coins and objects that looked like gold and silver ornaments. The women workers last week handed over the collection to local panchayat authorities, who in turn informed the archaeology department.
On Wednesday, the state archeology department examined the items and said they were of archeological value. State Archeology Department Director E Dineshan said the most recent coin in the collection was minted in 1826, indicating that they might have been buried around 200 years back.
The pot contained 13 golden lockets, 17 studs, five lockets, five rings and a bunch of coins, all of them either gold or silver.
Another section of coins belong to the category of Venetian ducat, believed to be minted in Venice, he said. The recovered Venetian ducats were minted between 1670 and 1700. These ducats were formed into a chain and worn as jewellery, he said.
The director said the recovered collection comprised coins from French India and those used by the Ali Raja of Arakkal dynasty (a Muslim King of present day Kannur region which ruled from 16th century to 19th century).
He said the Archeology department had so far not conducted any study or excavation in this part of Kannur where these objects were found in a pot. But since the village is near a river, the region might have been a place of trade.
Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India.
Expertise, Experience, and Authority
Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes:
Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration.
Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules.
Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More
