Keezhadi excavation site

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Keezhadi excavation site

Excavation blocks at Keezhadi
Shown within Tamil Nadu Show map of Tamil Nadu Keezhadi excavation site (India) Show map of India
Alternative name	Vaigai valley civilization
Location	Keezhadi, Tamil Nadu, India
Region	Thiruppuvanam, Sivaganga
Coordinates	9°51′47″N 78°10′56″E / 9.8630727°N 78.1820931°E / 9.8630727; 78.1820931
Type	Settlement
Area	32.37 ha (80.0 acres)
History
Founded	580 BCE – 200 BCE
Cultures	Sangam period
Site notes
Excavation dates	2015–present
Archaeologists	Amarnath Ramakrishna
Management	Archaeological Survey of India, Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department
Public access	Yes

Keezhadi (also as Keeladi) is a Sangam period settlement and large-scale excavation being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.^[1][2] This site is located 12 km southeast of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, near the town of Keezhadi, Sivaganga district. The settlement lies on the bank of the Vaigai River and it reflects the ancient culture of Tamil Nadu.^[3] Epigraphist V. Vedachalam, who served as a domain expert for the excavation, dated the excavated remains between 6th century BCE and 3rd century BCE.^[4]