Bench was hearing a PIL seeking preservation of the site
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court observed that the Keezhadi excavations would have a serious effect of rewriting the history of the country, while hearing a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction for the preservation of the Keezhadi excavation site.
A Division Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Sathish Kumar took cognisance of the radiocarbon dating analysis on the unearthed artefacts that claimed that the artefacts go back to around 200 BC to 130 BC.
The carbon dating of the Keezhadi artefacts were carried out by Beta Analytic Inc., a U.S.-based radiocarbon dating laboratory.
‘Consolidated report’
The court — taking into account the counter filed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) — directed Amarnath Ramakrishna alone to write the report for the first two phases of the Keezhadi excavations. The court further directed the State government to file a consolidated report touching upon various aspects, including details on the natural materials unearthed from the Keezhadi excavation site and its possible age.
The ASI submitted to the court that it would utilise the services of Mr. Amarnath Ramakrishna for the compilation of report.
The court has adjourned further hearing in the case to November 9.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/keezhadi-will-rewrite-history-of-the-country-says-high-court/article25395842.ece
