Reconstructed Faces Reveal Piercing Eyes of 2,500-Year-Old Indian Civilization

Quick Summary:

• Digital facial reconstructions of two men who lived about 2,500 years ago in southern India have been created based on skulls found at Kondagai, an ancient burial site in tamil Nadu.
• Kondagai is linked to Keeladi, a site believed to represent a sophisticated urban civilization around 580 B.C., featuring brick houses, ancient Tamil script writing, advanced water systems, and regional trade.
• The skulls were excavated in 2021 from burial urns containing grave goods like jewelry, pottery and food offerings. Anatomical analysis revealed the individuals were between 50-60 years old at death; their causes of death remain unknown.
• The reconstructions were developed using CT scans combined with reference data from modern South Asian populations for soft tissue modeling.Eye, skin and hair colors were approximated based on typical features of South Indians but are subject to revision pending further DNA analysis.
• Preliminary genetic findings suggest these individuals share affinities with present-day South Asian populations but lack specific region-based DNA data to confirm direct ancestry ties.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

the discovery and recreation of faces from Kondagai provide a rare glimpse into the cultural sophistication of ancient southern India through cutting-edge technology like facial reconstruction and DNA analysis. The findings from this burial site reinforce the past significance of Keeladi as not merely an isolated settlement but potentially part of a broader urban civilization with advanced infrastructure-of particular importance given its date long before many traditionally recognized “great civilizations.”

This research also highlights gaps in genetic databases that limit detailed ancestral tracing for Tamil Nadu populations despite broader connections within South Asia.The continued excavation of sites like Keeladi could deliver deeper insights regarding India’s early history while advancing non-invasive archaeological methods globally.

Read More: Live Science – Ancient Indian Facial reconstructions