Did the Iron Age begin in Tamil Nadu? New discoveries challenge global timelines

Archaeological excavation at Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district. (Courtesy: http://tnarch.gov.in/)

Tamil Nadu's archaeologists have made the findings showing evidence of the existence of iron manufacturing in the state dating as far back as 5,400 years, perhaps qualifying as one of the world's earliest iron-making centres. The findings, if upheld, may undermine accepted chronology which positions the source of the introduction of smelting iron at around 13th century BCE in current Turkey.

Early iron-work evidence in Tamil Nadu

According to the BBC, archaeological excavations in Adichchanallur, Sivagalai, Mayiladumparai, Kilnamandi, Mangadu, and Thelunganur yielded iron artifacts dated between 2,953 BCE and 3,345 BCE. This would mean that iron extraction, smelting, and forging were independently developed in the Indian subcontinent.

Dilip Kumar Chakrabarti, who teaches South Asian archaeology at Cambridge University, described the discovery as significant and noted that its implications would take time to be understood. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) archaeologist Parth R. Chauhan contributed that iron technology must have emerged independently in different regions of the globe and that one would need to conduct more studies before reaching general conclusions.

Advanced iron-making techniques uncovered

Excavations have revealed an array of iron tools, weapons, and artifacts from hoe-spades, spears, knives, arrowheads, chisels, axes, to swords. Over 85 iron artifacts were unearthed from burial urns in one site, and over 20 samples were dated in five foreign laboratories, testifying to their antiquity.

Historian Osmund Bopearachchi of the French National Centre for Scientific Research referred to the finding of an iron sword of the 13th-15th century BCE. The ultra-high-carbon steel sword reflects a high degree of metallurgical and high-temperature processing expertise.

Were Tamil Nadu's residents early iron producers?

According to the BBC, IISER archaeologist Oishi Roy explained that the find indicates that Tamil Nadu's early inhabitants were not just consumers of iron but also producers. The unearthing of an iron smelting furnace at Kodumanal also lends credence to the theory that iron was being processed and purified in the area.

The placement of the furnace showed traces of intense heat exposure, and iron slag stuck to the sides of the furnace pointing to a very sophisticated metalworking culture. Excavations at numerous sites confirm the idea that iron-making was a daily practice in early Tamil Nadu.

How does this change our understanding of the Iron Age?

Though iron artifacts have been unearthed at 27 locations in eight Indian states, the new discoveries in Tamil Nadu push India's iron-making record further by 400 years.

Archaeologists indicate that the Iron Age was not a single-origin event but a technological transformation that developed independently in different areas. Oishi Roy clarified that native iron technology appears to have developed early in the Indian subcontinent, refuting previous assumptions about where and how iron production began.

A new perspective on ancient civilizations

The findings of Tamil Nadu confirm the notion that the state was not only an early urban settlement and international trade centre but also a hub of advanced metallurgical knowledge.

As per the BBC, historian Nirmala Lakshman opined that the excavations establish the presence of an advanced civilization with deep technological and cultural roots. However, archaeologists caution that further excavations across India need to be done to provide fresh information and know more about the origin of iron technology.