New Delhi, Nov. 02 (SANA) Indian archaeologists have unearthed two bronze statues dating back to the 12th century during excavations in Nagapattinam, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, in a discovery highlighting the artistic and metalworking traditions of the historic Chola dynasty.
The archaeology news website Arkeonews reported on Sunday that the statues were found about one meter below the ground during excavations carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.
One statue depicts the Hindu deity Shiva in his dancing form, known as Nataraja, and measures 110 centimeters high and 100 centimeters wide. The second represents Sivakami and measures 82 centimeters high and 23 centimeters wide. Both were found with their original pedestals.
Researchers said the statues’ artistic features, decorative elements and sculptural details indicate that they date to the 12th century, during the later period of the Chola dynasty, which held sway over large parts of southern India from the ninth to the 13th centuries.
The statues have been transferred to Chennai for treatment and chemical conservation before undergoing metallurgical analysis to determine the composition of the bronze used in their manufacture.
The discovery adds to archaeological evidence of the artistic and craft traditions of southern India and offers further insight into religious and commercial life in the region during the medieval period.
R A H / R.K
