Unique ancient technique to inscribe on stone. Rare evidence found in pudukkottai district

Rare evidence in stone inscription method found. Red lines have been  drawn before the actual inscription is carved out. These red lines helped the engravers to inscribe in a straight line. These kind of red lines were not registered so far.  Along with the red lines which helped the sculptors to inscribe in a straight readable pattern, initial red painted symbols  are also present.  These red lines and red letters were found in the Sivan Temple at Nodiyoor, Gadharvakottai union, Pudukkottai District, Kadambar kovil in Narthamalai, Kulathoor Taluk Pudukkottai and Shiva Temple at Thivudayappatti. The rare and key discovery is made by A.Manikandan, founder Pudukkottai   archaeological   research association, and Melappanayoor  Rajendran an expert in this field and the key advisory of  the team.

Stone Inscription as important Historic Documents

  The founder Manikandan, a teacher in a government school briefed the importance of the findings. The stone inscriptions, cave paintings, palm leaf inscriptions, clay sculptures, pre historic letters etched on the pots, and embossed stone sculptures helps us to understand the ancient historic events. The later part of the history Asoka’s inscriptions, Viluppuram Jambai inscriptions, Poolaangurichi, Pudukkottai inscriptions contains vast and varied historic information.

Stone Inscriptions

Stone Inscriptions gives us many historic facts. As the spoken language took shape and developed a symbol system the stone inscriptions have come into practice. Every inscription has information like the geographical details, and why it was erected and the reason for its erection any by whom it was erected.

Rare evidence on inscription.

The red lines found in these temples gives us a very clear picture that how they were made. It shows us the sculptors took extreme care in etching out the inscriptions. These kinds of red lines were not registered earlier. The ancient sculptors drew straight red lines first then the drew the symbols and letters in red color. Only after this preparation they started etching out the inscriptions. This finding is really important for research scholars and archeological activists.

Ancient Method of Stone Inscriptions

Usually the inscriptions were erected in public places like temples. Even before the erection of the temple the inscription is planned and the stones were placed accordingly. In the same temple we can also see inscription made by different kings.

The Shiva Temple at Nodiyoor has inscriptions of two different kings. The athittanam has King Raja Raja III’s inscription, and the area called pinthi has Maravarman Kulasekarththevan’s inscriptions. The wall behind the sanctum sanctorum has red squire boxes,  the lines are so very thin and they are 5cm from left to right and 5.5cm from top to bottom. Every box has a symbol written into it. Clearly a well planned step to etch out the inscription.

Similar red lines were found in the Kadambar Temple at Narthamalai. We can find the thin horizontal red lines with symbols written in red. A few of the symbols were chiseled out. But the inscription remains incomplete. Might have been given up due to war or some other unknown reason.  

These thin red lines sustained challenges from the mother nature and shows us how inscriptions were actually made. This finding states the method of stone inscriptions were made and proven to be a ground breaking finding to the Archaeological activists, opined Manikandan