Union Finance Minister Tmt. Nirmala Sitharaman visited Adichanallur, an ancient and historical Iron-age burial site located in Thoothukudi District Tamil Nadu on August 5, set along the banks of the Tamirabarani (Porunai) river.
- On the occasion, the Union Finance Minister also laid the foundation stone for the ‘Iconic Site Museum’ at the Adichanallur site.
- The excavation, led by Regional Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Arun Raj, has unearthed burial urns, metal and bronze products used by ancient Tamils and a gold diadem.
- Various objects dating back to 467 BCE and food grains such as millets and paddy dated 665 BCE have been unearthed here.
- Subsequently, the Union Government decided to set-up an onsite museum at this hotspot of ancient Tamil civilization and came out with its decision on setting up the museum in 2021.
- This archaeological site was one of five declared to be developed as ‘Iconic Sites’ in the Union Budget 2020-21.
