India’s longest Iron Age spear unearthed near Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu: Report

The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence highlighted in a BBC report last year, which noted that archaeologists have identified iron objects at six sites in Tamil Nadu, dated between 2,953 BCE and 3,345 BCE. (File photo)

• Archaeologists found an 8-foot Iron Age spear at Thirumalapuram, Tamil Nadu
• Spears and burial urn indicate high status of the buried individual.
• Tamil Nadu's iron technology dates to 3000 BCE, indicating advanced metallurgy.

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Archaeologists in Tamil Nadu have reportedly unearthed what experts believe is the longest iron spear from the Indian Iron Age, an 8-foot-long weapon discovered at Thirumalapuram near Tenkasi, about 80 km from Sivagalai in Thoothukudi district, where the state earlier reported its oldest Iron Age date of 3,345 BCE.

The spear was found along with iron implements, pottery, burial urns and other artefacts. A second spear measuring around 6.5 feet was also recovered. Both spears were placed in an ‘X’ formation beside a burial urn containing gold objects, indicating the high social status of the individual buried at the site, reported the Times of India.

As cited in the report, K Vasanthakumar, who led the excavation, said the longer spear is slightly rounded at one end, suggesting it was designed for ease of handling. According to experts, it could have been used by ancient warriors to protect cattle and wealth, or served as a ceremonial object made for an elite individual.

The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence highlighted in a BBC report last year, which noted that archaeologists have identified iron objects at six sites in Tamil Nadu, dated between 2,953 BCE and 3,345 BCE. The findings suggest that iron extraction and smelting may have developed independently in the Indian subcontinent, earlier than in regions such as present-day Turkey, where large-scale iron production emerged around the 13th century BCE.

K Rajan, academic and research adviser to the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology, said iron technology was in use in the region between 3000 BCE and 2500 BCE, reflecting advanced metallurgical knowledge.

Joint director R Sivanandam said the department, in collaboration with the Department of Metallurgy at IIT Gandhinagar, will conduct a statewide study of Iron Age sites over the next two years to trace the evolution of iron-smelting technology.