How Tsunami Uncovered Ancient Sculptures in Mahabalipuram?

Image Source: Wikipedia

An ancient town has been discovered underwater near Mamallapuram, India, where archaeologists have found ruins of a temple, stairs, a wall, and other evidence.

The December 2004 tsunami, which battered much of the south Indian coast, has helped unearth priceless relics in the ancient port city of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

 A team of divers, geologists, and archaeologists from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) found ruins of one of the six shore temples which, according to legend, were submerged, a 10-meter-long wall, a short flight of stairs, and chiseled stone blocks on the seabed, 800 meters from the shoreline, about 27 feet deep. The structures are thought to be around 1,100 to 1,500 years old.

The killer waves shifted thousands of tonnes of sand to uncover granite sculptures which archaeologists claim, are remnants of a seventh-century civilization. The sculptures include an elaborately carved lion, a half-completed elephant, and a stallion in flight.

Mahabalipuram was an important center of the Pallava dynasty, which held sway over much of south India between the fourth and the ninth century. Known for its Shore Temple, the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Legend has it that Mahabalipuram had six other temples – seafarers referred to it as the land of seven pagodas till even two centuries ago – which were consumed by waves.

Image Source: Ancient History Encyclopedia

The city has also been the subject of much scholarly curiosity. Archaeological Survey of India had begun excavations here in 2001. But the tsunami threw a spanner in their works.

Just before the tsunami waves struck on December 26, 2004, the sea withdrew about 500 meters, baring its bed on which lay a temple structure and several rock sculptures, the tsunami-struck fisherfolk announced after they had recovered some of their bearings.

Once the waves subsided, archaeological survey of India researchers enlisted the help of divers from the navy to scan the deep seas. “We found some stone structures which appear to be man-made”. Said the researcher’s team. The investigators also found partly submerged blocks of walls, some of which extended into the land. “Our investigations showed that the partially submerged blocks and those completely underwater are part of one edifice,” said Tripathi (archaeologist). “The blocks appear to be part of a temple wall,” the archaeologist added.

The 2-meter high lion statues, each hewn from a single piece of granite, appear breathtakingly lifelike. One great stone cat sits up an alert while the other is poised to pounce. The elephant could have also been sculpted to adorn the city walls, the archaeologists believe. Lions, elephants, and peacocks were commonly used to decorate walls during the Pallava period, say members of the archaeological survey of India team. “The findings reveal Pallava grandeur”.

Written By- Violet Priscilla S

Edited By - Anamika Malik