Kozhikode: In December last year, during the renovation work at Parambath Kaavu Bhagavathi Temple near Vendalloor in Malappuram, hundreds of clay dolls from during the middle ages were unearthed by the researchers.
In a new development on Saturday, the research team from Calicut University has found more evidences of early human settlements from the caves near the site which depicts symbols and art works (petrographs) carved on rocks.
The team also found several iron mining caves from that period near the temple site and also pits believed to be used for the cremation of bodies during those period from the adjacent Parambath Kaavu Hill.
File picture of the clay dolls unearthed from the site.
The site which is located near Bharatappuzha is one of the major iron ore mining centres during ancient period. “There are records available which say large scale iron ore export from the area through Ponnani port to Kochi and other places. The people here believed to be led a progressive life of high standard,” said Calicut University History department head Dr P Sivadasan. “The weapons and tools they used for digging pits and carving the petrographs pointing to this fact,” he added.
The University is planning to conduct detailed study at the site by conducting workshops, survey and examination of the petrographs. “Further study will help us to get new evidenced to understand the early human settlement in Kerala which would immensely help in further research,” added Dr Sivadasan.
