Chennai
In a significant move to advance research on the Indus Valley Civilization, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a prize of one million US dollars for archaeologists who can decipher and offer a comprehensive understanding of the ancient civilization. The announcement was made during the inaugural session of the International Seminar on the Centenary of the Discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization at the Government Museum in Egmore on Sunday.
The seminar, which is being attended by renowned archaeologists, historians, and scholars from across the globe, focuses on the significance of the Indus Valley Civilization and its potential connections to Tamil Nadu.
In his address, CM Stalin highlighted the striking similarity between symbols found on Indus Valley pottery and those discovered on Tamil Nadu artifacts, with nearly 60 percent of the symbols matching. This discovery has sparked renewed interest among scholars, who believe it could help unlock the mysteries of the civilization.
To further promote research in this area, CM Stalin also announced a Rs 2 crore grant to establish a research chair in the name of the renowned archaeologist Iravatham Mahadevan. This initiative will focus on deepening the understanding of the links between Tamil Nadu and the Indus Valley Civilization.
Recent archaeological findings in Sivakalai, Tuticorin, dating back to 2500-3000 BCE, have brought researchers closer to confirming the connection between Tamil Nadu and the Indus Valley.