Irinjalakkuda: Detailed scientific studies have been sought into the discovery of ancient metal objects while digging wells at Padiyoor, Cheloor and Edathirinji on the western part of Irinjalakkuda. Excavations in these areas could throw up more artefacts, it is pointed out.
The metal items which resemble pieces of rock were first unearthed while digging a well last year. Close examination revealed that the objects were bird and animal figurines made of iron and cast in clay moulds. The iron content of the items was around 95%, said Dr V T Joy, head of Chemistry Department, Christ College.
Shreds of clams were also recovered along with the metal objects. “This indicates that the sea or a river was close to this area in the ancient past,” suggested Joy.
Another premise is that a workplace where metal objects were cast functioned here in olden times. At that time, Europeans and other people from the West were unfamiliar with the iron casting technique and this workplace produced metal objects which were bought by the foreigners who visited the nearby Muziris. “But more research has to be conducted into such aspects, especially regarding the Muziris township, before any conclusion is reached,” said Joy. “But are optimistic,” he added.
