A team of archaeology enthusiasts unearthed an 18th century stone inscription, two wooden pillars in a farm at Elayamuthur near here on Sunday.
An enthusiast P. Narayanamurthy said about 52 lines were carved on the square granite stone on 30th of Karthigai month in Virodhi, Tamil year. It was around 1768 AD. The message in the stone inscription was: Maalai Kovil was built by Pasupathi Paalappa Naicker, Patuthurai Muthaiya Naicker and Chinna Peddha Naicker, in memory of Kuppa Naigaiya Naicker, son of Paranjothi Naciker and king of Thalinji.
It also described Thalinji as Varaha Hill (Pandri Malai). Maalai Kovil was a cemetery built for kings. Such cemeteries were found in some parts of Kongu region in Dindigul Theni and Madurai districts.
The sculpture on the wooden pole was intact. The pole was 7-foot long. A total of 323 aesthetically carved sculptures, nine sculptures on one portion of each side of the pole, were found, he added.
