The Iron Age is a pivotal period in human civilisation. It transitioned from the Bronze Age and revolutionised human societies worldwide. While ironworking first emerged in Anatolia and the Middle East, recent archaeological discoveries explored that Tamil Nadu might be one of the earliest Iron smelting centres in the Indian Subcontinent.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, proclaimed in a report on the antiquity of iron, that the Iron Age was initiated on “Tamil soil” as early as 4th millennium BCE (around 5,300 years ago). Until now, historians believed that in India Iron Age started around 1500 BCE during the Vedic period and lasted until 600 BCE. This new claim of Tamil Nadu’s CM might reshape the historical understanding.
Is Tamil Nadu’s claim of the earliest use of Iron true?
The CM of Tamil Nadu claimed that the iron smelting was started in the soil of Tamil Nadu dating back to 3345 BCE, which is around 5,300 years ago. But based on which he claimed that? A landmark study “Antiquity of Iron: Recent Radiometric Dates from Tamil Nadu” undertaken by the State Archaeology Department shows that the earliest Iron technology was used in the Sivagalai site of Tamil Nadu around 3345-2953 BCE. This was the earliest iron use worldwide creating a connection of Tamil Nadu with the evaluation of the Iron Age.
A sarcophagus burial is discovered at the excavation site of Kilnamandi. The age of this burial is dated back to 1692 BC. This discovery shows that Tamil Nadu followed the burial practices from several years ago. You might be wondering about sarcophagus burial. Let me clear to you, a sarcophagus is a stone or clay coffin that was used for interment. From this, it can be said that Tamil Nadu had advanced knowledge in iron production as early as 1692 BCE.
Moreover, it has been also found that iron smelting furnaces are present in the sites of Mayiladumparai, Perungalur and Kilnamandi. This evidence demonstrates that the societies of Tamil Nadu had advanced technological capabilities in using iron and producing durable and strong weapons and tools.
From all this evidence, we can imagine that before spreading southward, the Iron Age emerged in northern India and Tamil Nadu was the crucial centre for iron production. However, all these required further validation and for that broader excavations need to be arranged by the government of India and the state government of Tamil Nadu.
Key findings from the excavation
The key findings that the report of the antiquity of iron published regarding the Iron Age and its connection with Tamil Nadu hold different significances. The discovery of early iron technology and usage in Tamil Nadu challenges the long-held belief of historians that iron technology originated in the West first and then spread across the other parts of the world. If we take the iron artefacts from Sivagalai sites (3345-2953 BCE), we can say that Tamil Nadu independently developed iron technology in the early period of the Iron Age.
The key findings of the iron-smelting furnaces in the excavation sites of Perungalur, Mayiladumparai and Kilnamandi showcase that the South Indian societies had metallurgical expertise from the ancient period. They might have used iron-based tools in agriculture and the iron production plays a significant role in food production of that period.
Because of ancient civilisation of South India knew about iron production and use, they might have included the iron in their daily lives including trading, communication and transportation. As a result, they had built better craftsmanship and construction that led to better urban development.
The iron-smelting furnaces also show that Tamil Nadu societies had the expertise to create durable weapons like sabres, long swords, spears and shields. The defence mechanism gets strengthened because of the production of these weapons and military power also expanded.
Comparative Analysis
The claim of using iron by Tamil Nadu challenges the conventional historical narratives that we used to know. Anatolia, modern-day Turkey, is considered the earliest centre of iron production. It was explored that during 1200 BCE Iron Age started. The Hittites, an ancient Indo-European civilisation, developed iron smelting techniques and iron technology which they used for agriculture and warfare. Well, the discovery of South Indian civilisation and their approach towards iron smelting, questioning the Hittites.
Besides Anatolia, it has been also said that the Nok culture of Africa was the first civilisation where iron technology and iron smelting were initiated. During 1000 BCE, the Nok Culture of Nigeria invented the process of farming and terracotta arts. This indicates that the Nok society was highly influenced by iron metallurgy in their everyday tasks.
Now comparing these two civilisations with Tamil Nadu’s ancient societies suggests that iron was used much earlier than previously believed. The use of iron-smelting furnaces and sarcophagus burial predates both the Anatolian and Nok civilisation by thousands of years. Maybe it has the potential that the Nok culture and Anatolians got the idea of iron smelting and iron tools from ancient Tamil Nadu, and Tamil Nadu has a crucial role in the advancement of the Iron Age.
Contribution of iron in Tamil Nadu’s cultural evaluation
Natural resources like iron ores played a significant role in shaping the culture of Tamil Nadu. The iron tools and technologies that were developed by the ancient Tamil Nadu civilisation helped to expand agriculture and build long-term trade networks with better urbanisation.
Culturally, the iron plays a significant role. Sangam literature from the age of 300 BCE to 300 CE, highlighted the use of iron weapons, tools and other technologies that show iron’s significance in the Tamil societies. If literature shows the significance of iron, then we can see the idea that much expertise the Tamil societies have to use iron in their day-to-day lives.
In Tamil Nadu, limestone, iron ore, magnesite, bauxite and other natural sources have been found to contribute to the economy of the state as well as the country. In Salem, a Tiruvannamalai district majority of the resources are located. However, Tamil Nadu reserves around 0.5 billion tonnes of iron ore, which is around 1.5% of the total iron ore reserves in India.
FAQ
What is the significance of the recent iron-age discoveries in Tamil Nadu?
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, proclaimed in a report on the antiquity of iron that the Iron Age was initiated on “Tamil soil” as early as the 4th millennium BCE (around 5,300 years ago). A landmark study, Antiquity of Iron: Recent Radiometric Dates from Tamil Nadu, undertaken by the State Archaeology Department, shows that the earliest iron technology was used in the Sivagalai site of Tamil Nadu around 3345-2953 BCE.
How does Tamil Nadu’s claim of early iron use challenge conventional historical narratives?
The discovery of early iron technology and usage in Tamil Nadu challenges the long-held belief of historians that iron technology originated in the West first and then spread across other parts of the world. If we take the iron artefacts from Sivagalai sites (3345-2953 BCE), we can say that Tamil Nadu independently developed iron technology in the early period of the Iron Age.
What evidence supports Tamil Nadu’s role in the early development of iron smelting?
It has been found that iron-smelting furnaces are present in the sites of Mayiladumparai, Perungalur, and Kilnamandi. This evidence demonstrates that the societies of Tamil Nadu had advanced technological capabilities in using iron and producing durable and strong weapons and tools.
How do Tamil Nadu’s iron discoveries compare with Anatolia and the Nok Culture?
The Hittites of Anatolia developed iron smelting around 1200 BCE, and the Nok Culture of Nigeria initiated iron smelting and metallurgy around 1000 BCE. However, Tamil Nadu’s iron-smelting furnaces and sarcophagus burial predates both the Anatolian and Nok civilisations by thousands of years.
What role did iron play in shaping Tamil Nadu’s cultural and economic evolution?
The iron tools and technologies developed by the ancient Tamil Nadu civilisation helped to expand agriculture and build long-term trade networks with better urbanisation. Tamil Nadu societies had the expertise to create durable weapons like sabres, long swords, spears, and shields, strengthening the defence mechanism and military power.
What do Sangam literature and ancient Tamil texts say about iron usage?
Sangam literature from the age of 300 BCE to 300 CE highlighted the use of iron weapons, tools, and other technologies that show iron’s significance in Tamil societies.
How much iron ore does Tamil Nadu have, and where are its major reserves located?
Tamil Nadu reserves around 0.5 billion tonnes of iron ore, which is around 1.5% of the total iron ore reserves in India. In Salem and Tiruvannamalai districts, the majority of the resources are located.
