ARIKAMEDU – ITS CLOSER LOOK
Between 2200 and 1900 years ago, Arikamedu was a coastal settlement where ships unloaded goods from distant lands. A massive brick structure, which may have been a warehouse, was found at the site. Other finds include pottery from the Mediterranean region, such as amphorae (tall double-handled jars that contained liquids such as wine or oil) and stamped red-glazed pottery, known as Arretine Ware, which was named after a city in Italy. This was made by pressing wet clay into a stamped mould. There was yet another kind of pottery that was made locally, though Roman designs were used. Roman lamps, glassware, and gems have also been found at the site.
Small tanks have been found that were probably dyeing vats, used to dye cloth. There is plenty of evidence for the making of beads from semi-precious stones and glass.
Several pieces of pottery have inscriptions in Brahmi, which was used to write Tamil.
More to know about Rome:
Rome is one of the oldest cities in Europe and developed around the same time as the cities in the Ganga valley. Rome was the capital of one of the largest empires - one that spread across Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. Augustus, one of the most important emperors, who ruled about 2000 years ago, said that he found Rome a city of brick, and made it into a city of marble. He, and later rulers, built temples and palaces.
They also built huge amphitheaters — open arenas surrounded by tiers of seats — where citizens could watch all kinds of shows, and public baths (with separate timings for men and women), where people met and relaxed.
Huge aqueducts — channels to supply water — were built to bring water to the city — for the baths, fountains, and toilets.
Activity:
1.Find the Rome on WORLD MAP.
2.List the evidence that indicates that there was contact with Rome.
3. Why do you think the amphitheaters and aqueducts have survived?
4. Find Arikamedu (in Puducherry) on Map.
Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK.