A museum-cum-information centre built a couple of years ago at Adichanallur, the historic site in Tuticorin district, is yet to be opened. Adichanallur, a habitational site of the Iron Age people who were buried in big urns, revealed abundant evidences of explorations and excavations of pre-historic times.
The historic site, which is located in the lower valley of the Tamirabarani in Srivaikuntam taluk, remains neglected, according to C. Nainar Kulasekaran, Coordinator, Federation for Protection of Archaeological and Heritage Sites, Tuticorin district.
It was high time the district administration ensured early opening of the museum. During 2012, when the district celebrated its silver jubilee, the former Collector took efforts to build the museum , he said in a petition submitted to Collector M. Ravikumar here on Monday.
Unlike other districts, Tuticorin enjoys the pride of having places of archaeological value at Kazhugumalai, Korkai and Adichanallur. Hence, efforts should be made to promote its historic value among people. During 2004, excavation was done at Adichanallur by a team of experts from the Department of Archaeology that unearthed 185 urns and a considerable number of iron weapons, gold ornaments, bronze material and other valuables used by people of pre-historic times. The first excavation on the archaeological site of Adichanallur was done by F. Jagor, German national, and the invaluable materials unearthed on the occasion were still preserved in a museum in Berlin. The Indian government should retrieve these valuable materials and keep them in the museum at Adichanallur. In 1904, Alexander Rea, Superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India, unearthed over hundred ancient kitchen utensils after excavating a portion of the site and these materials were now kept in the Chennai museum.
Mr. Ravikumar said that efforts were on to get archaeological exhibits for the museum, which would be opened soon.
