Scientific data needed to validate Keeladi findings: Union Minister Shekhawat
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that the archaeological findings from the Keeladi excavation site in Tamil Nadu require further scientific validation before it is given official recognition.
The report submitted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who conducted the first two phases of excavation at Keeladai, lacked sufficient technical support, the culture minister told reporters Tuesday.
“The reports are not yet technically well supported. A lot remains to be done before recognising the findings presented by the archaeologist who conducted the survey. Let them come with more results, data and evidence. Because, a single finding cannot change the entire discourse,” he added.
The culture minister also expressed concerns over attempts to politicise the archaeological findings and using the new findings and discoveries to trigger the regional sentiments.
“People in the positions are trying to use it to grow their regional sentiments. That is not good. We have to be very cautious about it. Let archaeologists, historians and technical experts discuss this and let politicians leave it to them,” he said.
Keeladi is an archaeological excavation site located on the banks of Vaigai river at Sivagangai district.