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Subsequent investigation by Vimala Begley from 1989 to 1992 modified
this assessment, and now place the period of occupation from the 2nd century
BCE to the 8th century CE.
Significant findings at Arikamedu include numerous Indo-Pacific beads,
which facilitated fixing the period of its origin. Red and black ceramics -
known as megalithic stones or Pandukal in Tamil meaning "old stones" and
used to mark graves that have existed at the site even prior to and during
Roman occupation of the site, and also in later periods.
Arikamedu is a coastal fishing village, under the Ariankuppam
Panchayat, on the southeastern coast of India, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from
Pondicherry, on the Pondicherry-Cuddalore road; it was originally a French
colonial town. It is located on the bank of the Ariyankuppam River (for most
part of the year the river is considered a lagoon), also known as
Virampattinam River, which forms the northern outlet of the Gingee River as
it joins the Bay of Bengal. As the site is located at the bend of the river
it provides protection to sea-going vessels that dock there.
The site has been subject to extensive archaeological excavations.
The archaeological site is spread over an area of 34.57 acres (13.99 ha) and
has been under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India since 1982.
Getting There
Arikamedu is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the capital,
Pondicherry. taxis, buses and autos are available easily.
Pondicherry is
connected to Chennai via the East Coast Road through Mahabalipuram. The
Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation runs buses within the city. The Tamil
Nadu State Transport Corporation operates Volvo air-conditioned services
from Chennai to Pondicherry. There are daily bus services from several main
stops from Chennai.
Pondicherry hosts its own railway
station that connects the city with all other major cities like Bhubaneshwar,
Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Kanpur. So, one
planning to reach Pondicherry by train has got wider options.
Pondicherry has its own airport
named
Pondicherry Airport,
located at Lawspet, 7.5 km away from town center. Currently there is no
commercial scheduled flights services at this Airport.
The nearest domestic / international airport is
Chennai International Airport,
located at Chennai, 148 km north of Pondicherry. It is about three hours
drive to Chennai International
Airport from Pondicherry. To make arrangements for a taxi from Airport
to Pondicherry, contact one the taxi operators and travel agents that have
counter in the Airport.
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