Chennai, Jan 24 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Thursday that the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu began over 5,300 years ago, marking a groundbreaking revelation in the history of metallurgy and human development.
“I am telling the world: The technology of smelting iron was developed in Tamil Nadu over 5,300 years ago. It can be confidently stated that iron was introduced in South India, specifically in Tamil Nadu, around 3345 BCE,” Stalin said in a statement. The Chief Minister revealed that samples of iron artefacts excavated from Tamil Nadu were analyzed at world-renowned laboratories in Pune, India, and Florida, USA, with the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department comparing and reviewing the results.
Stalin further announced that these findings have been compiled into a book titled The Antiquity of Iron, which features insights and reviews from national-level archaeology experts. “This is a matter of great pride for Tamil, the Tamil people, Tamil Nadu, and the Tamil land. It is a monumental contribution from Tamil Nadu to the entire human race,” he declared.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ongoing research in this area. “The metallurgical analysis of iron artefacts excavated from various sites, along with future excavations at archaeological sites containing iron ore, will strengthen these discoveries. These efforts will provide more evidence and clarity to support these findings, and we await such strong evidence with confidence,” he said.
Stalin highlighted the global significance of this discovery, asserting that Tamil Nadu was the first region in the world to develop the technology for extracting iron from ore. “We have scientifically established that iron was introduced in the Tamil region over 5,300 years ago,” he added.
Reiterating his longstanding belief, Stalin stated: “The history of India must be written from the perspective of Tamil Nadu.” He commended the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department for its role in uncovering these findings, noting that their research has created significant turning points in the understanding of history.
The Chief Minister’s announcement underscores Tamil Nadu’s critical role in the development of ancient technology and its cultural and scientific contributions to humanity.
