Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 22: A burial cave which is about 2,500 years old has been discovered in the district. It is located at Moodu Perampally in the city. A very old pot that was buried in this cave has been unearthed.

The land where the cave is found belongs to an individual. When he was levelling his land, he experienced unexpected caving of the earth in a part of his land. Pieces of an earthen pot came into the view of the locals who were present there. Archaeologists, who came to the spot after they got information, dug the earth and found the pot having been buried three feet below the earth.

The archaeologists have concluded that this earthen pot is about 2,500 years old. Nothing else other than ashes could be found from the site.

The practice of burying remnants of the burnt body and valuable belongings of deceased people like ornaments deep in the earth was in vogue thousands of years back in coastal Karnataka. Such burial caves were found here in the past too but this is said to be the first time that a full sized earthen pot has been found in the region. In the past, burial caves were found in Kannarpady, Korangrapady, Ambalpady, Hebri and Santhoor here.

Sometime back, relics that are about 2,000 years old, were found from nearby Shirva, Manchakal and Sooda. These types of pots are found to have been in use during the Stone Age at the beginning of 1,200 BC. Experts therefore believe that this finding is of importance and will help the archaeologists to undertake research work in their field. At that time, people used earthen pots of red and black colour as per records. As per ancient scriptures Shivalli village was ruled by Alupa lineage of kings during seventh century as per an edict.

The news about the finding of the burial cave soon took the shape of rumour about a treasure having been recovered from under the earth. Therefore curious people in large numbers rushed to have a view out of curiosity.

Sample of the ash found in the pot has since been sent to the laboratory of Deccan College at Pune for carbon dating test and additional studies. About 25 different types of pot pieces were also found at the spot. As per a guess, these may be the relics of the earthen pots used for burying pulses and corns which used to be filled in earthen pots and burnt along with the ashes. More details about the finding can be accurately said once laboratory report is received. On the face of it, only ashes were found from the spot, says archaeologist, Prof Murugeshi.