More than 2,000 years old megalithic burial sites at Siruthavur near Thiruporur are being destroyed by real estate sharks for putting up housing plots.
There were hundreds of these sites till some years back but only 25 of them exist now and even these are under threat from unscrupulous realtors. Historians, meanwhile, complain that the district administration and the Archaeological Survey of India have been indifferent.
Locals also point out to many antiquities and semi-precious stones being looted. Thanks to the lack of awareness among people, many antiquities have been lost. Cist earth burials in these areas belong to the Sangam period dating between 3rd century BC and 3rd century AD.
A local said, “Many people used to come and take away old pots. Even a few years back they took some pots and semi-precious stones.” While heritage enthusiasts and historians urge the ASI to create more awareness, nothing is being done. “In other countries they protect a building even if it is 200 years old. I wonder why places of such historical importance are facing destruction,” said Mr Aditya Thappa, a heritage enthusiast.
When asked, villagers feigned ignorance of any such burials sires though a few claimed that many antiquities and burial sites were lost due to real estate sharks who dig up the sites using earthmovers to convert them into housing plots.
Historians are worried if these sites are destroyed, 2,000 years of history will be lost. “History needs to be represented through facts but if this state continues our much eulogised culture will be lost forever. These are like puzzles, if destroyed we cannot get it back,” said epigraphist S. Ramachandran.
Villagers allege that most buyers are ignorant about the historical importance of the place and even land under the Archaeological Survey of India is encroached.
ASI officials were not available for comment despite repeated calls.