The Pattanam excavations in Kerala’s Ernakulam district have been a significant project in Indian archaeology, uncovering artefacts dating back to 500 BCE. Conducted by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR), the excavation revealed connections to the Iron Age, early historic, medieval, and modern periods. The site, located near the ancient town of Muziris, has sparked debate regarding St. Thomas and early Christianity in India.
In 2015, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) suspended the excavation license, following allegations by Hindutva organisations that the project aimed to fabricate evidence of St. Thomas’ arrival in AD 52. Right-wing groups challenge this claim, arguing that there is no conclusive archaeological evidence supporting it. PJ Cherian, who led the excavation, has faced criticism due to his Christian identity.
Between 2007 and 2015, the KCHR conducted nine excavation seasons, uncovering artefacts that suggested Pattanam was a major trade hub. While the trenches are now covered, archaeologists continue studying the discovered artefacts. A museum showcasing these findings is in progress, housed in a renovated building displaying excavation posters and photographs.
Despite the ASI suspension, Pattanam remains crucial to understanding Kerala’s past. The site’s findings continue to contribute to historical research, revealing new insights into the trade networks and cultural influences shaping South Indian history.
In 2015, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) suspended the excavation license, following allegations by Hindutva organisations that the project aimed to fabricate evidence of St. Thomas’ arrival in AD 52. Right-wing groups challenge this claim, arguing that there is no conclusive archaeological evidence supporting it. PJ Cherian, who led the excavation, has faced criticism due to his Christian identity.
Between 2007 and 2015, the KCHR conducted nine excavation seasons, uncovering artefacts that suggested Pattanam was a major trade hub. While the trenches are now covered, archaeologists continue studying the discovered artefacts. A museum showcasing these findings is in progress, housed in a renovated building displaying excavation posters and photographs.
Despite the ASI suspension, Pattanam remains crucial to understanding Kerala’s past. The site’s findings continue to contribute to historical research, revealing new insights into the trade networks and cultural influences shaping South Indian history.
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NewsTranscript
00:00In short, if I say what is Patanam, I think I can say that Patanam is an early historic urban settlement
00:11having trade relations with the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia,
00:18including all most parts of India, Sri Lanka and nearby areas.
00:30Patanam is an early historic urban settlement having trade relations with the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia,
00:36including all most parts of India, Sri Lanka and nearby areas.
00:52I didn't know what excavation was.
00:56I didn't know what excavation was.
01:01When I went there, I was told that I was under the supervision of two supervisors.
01:06When I went there, I was told that I was under the supervision of two supervisors.
01:11One of them was Rajakrishnan from Paragadu.
01:15I thought that if I worked for a day, I would get this much.
01:21But after two days, I understood the importance of it.
01:25I think the trial excavation was done in 2005.
01:28But from 2004 onwards, we were exploring the area.
01:33It was a very detailed exploration.
01:35Myself and my mother were usually visiting.
01:38I remember that during the tsunami, we were on this side.
01:43Then KCHR organised a large-scale excavation.
01:51That started in 2007 and ended in 2015.
02:21One other important aspect of Patanam is that it is an urban site.
02:33Why do we say it is an urban site?
02:35There are mainly three or four archaeological sites,
02:39like the nomenclature for an urban site.
02:42You see Patanam, Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro.
02:46We clearly established that these are all urban centres.
02:56As an archaeological site, initially people were not familiar with this site,
03:03or its potential, or what we want to convey to the people.
03:08So initially they were suspicious.
03:11But later on, when they got to know that this is a historically important site,
03:16and what we are trying to portray is actually beneficial to the local community.
03:22So later on they became cooperative.
03:26At that time, the director was a vegetarian.
03:29After doing the work, I understood the importance of it.
03:34I asked him why he was doing this.
03:38In the olden days, people lived here for a long time,
03:43and they understood the life and culture of the people here
03:48only when they got these kinds of things.
04:08KCHR
04:25Certainly some people in social media,
04:28it's not like right-wing or the left kind of politics,
04:33but they are trying to say that KCHR,
04:36or this organisation is portraying this as Musiris.
04:39So Patanam is not Musiris, whether Patanam is Musiris or not.
04:43Such kind of narratives are there.
04:45But we are not necessarily saying this is Musiris.
04:48But it can be something, part of a larger Musiris area.
04:53This work is not only for Hindus or any other sect.
05:02Not only Hindus, but other people also know about this.
05:10So my opinion is that Hindus should not have such an opinion.
05:14Because this is done for the country, not just for a sect.
05:19So I am not interested in that.
05:32When we have evidence for something that we want to say,
05:35we are not going to say ultimately.
05:37But when we have facts, and when we have corroborating facts with it,
05:42then definitely we will be presenting it as a historical narrative.
05:46So whatever we say, whether it be the St. Thomas Christian's origin,
05:51or whether the Cheraman Perumal legend, as you know,
05:54or whatever Parashurama legend,
05:56if it passes the test of the history or evidence,
06:01it necessarily is a historical fact.
06:05As a historical methodologist, E. H. Carr has said,
06:10it's like we are picking from a market a good fish or a bad fish.
06:15We have to know the methodology, whether it is a good historical fact,
06:20or simply something that people are saying.
06:25And we as historians, we are not going to believe hearsays.
06:28We need proper evidences or strong proofs for that.