Question

What information do the archaeologists give regarding the material culture and coins of the Sangam Age?

Answer 1

(a) Material culture:

1. Archaeologists have found evidence of brick structures and industrial activities, as well as, artifacts such as beads, bangles, cameos, intaglios, and other materials on this site.
2. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions on pottery and coins have also been unearthed.
3. Evidence of the various arts, crafts, and industries together help us to reconstruct the ways of life of the people of those times.
4. We can also understand how they might have lived.
5. Cameo was an ornament made in precious stone where images are carved on the surface.
6. Intaglio was an ornament in which images were carved as recess, below the surface.

(b) Coins:

1. Coins as a medium of exchange were introduced for the first time in the Sangam age.
2. The coins of the Cheras, the Cholas, and the Pandyas punch-marked coins and roman coins form another important source of evidence from the Sangam Age.
3. Punch-marked coins have been found at Kodumanal and Bodinayakkanur.
4. Roman coins are concentrated in the Coimbatore region.
5. These coins are found in Azhagankulam, Karur and Madurai.
6. They were used as Bullion for their metal value and as ornaments.
7. Bullion means precious metal available in the form of ingots.
8. Punch-marked coins are the earliest coins used in India.
9. They were mostly made of silver and have numerous symbols punched on them.