(a) whether the archaeological study is going on in Musiriz in Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the financial assistance given by the Government of India in this regard?
(a) whether the archaeological study is going on in Musiriz in Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the financial assistance given by the Government of India in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND CIVIL AVIATION(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a)&(b) Archaeological studies/excavations were carried out in Pattanam village in the Periyar delta by the Kerala Council of Historical Research. The excavator associates this site with Muziris. The excavations have brought forth a plethora of arch- aeological evidence related to the maritime contacts of India during the early historic period (3rd BCE – 5th ACE). The evi- dence from the excavations point to the maritime connections of India with many cultures on the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Medi- terranean littorals. The excavation reports of all the seasons have been published.
(c) Archaeological Survey of India provided financial assistance of Rs. 1.00 lakh for excavation work at Pattanam during the year 2007-2008.