Keezhadi excavation site
Fourth phase
#### Fourth phase

The fourth phase of the excavation was conducted between 2017 and 2018, bringing out 5,820 artifacts. This phase was conducted by the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department while the first three phases were conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India. Six carbon samples collected from the fourth phase of excavation at Keezhadi were sent to Beta Analytic, Miami, Florida, USA for [Accelerator Mass Spectrometry](/wiki/Accelerator_Mass_Spectrometry "Accelerator Mass Spectrometry") (AMS) dating; samples collected at a depth of 353 cm, were dated between 580 BCE and the 1st century CE. The graffiti marks on the artifacts obtained from the excavation site were said to be similar to the Indus Valley script by the excavators. Bisnupriya Basak questioned whether the sherds actually came from the same level that was dated to the 6th century BCE. Some of the marks might have been made during the pottery\-making process. Archaeologist E. Harsha Vardhan commented that “we cannot state scientifically that the Tamil\-Brahmi script belongs to the sixth century BC” on the basis of this report.


Are the graffiti marks on artifacts similar to the Indus Valley script?