One of the locations at Vellalore in Coimbatore where the Department of Archaeology is conducting excavations.
| Photo Credit: SIVA SARAVANAN S.
With about 1,000 artefacts unearthed in less than four months, the ongoing archaeological excavations on the Noyyal riverbed at Vellalore in Coimbatore have opened a new window into the past.Bangles made of shells and glass, iron tools, diverse pottery, and beads, spindle whorls and hopscotch markers in terracotta were among the artefacts that were put on public display at one of the excavation locations near Theneeswarar Temple at Vellalore on Sunday (July 19, 2026).The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology commenced the excavations on April 1, covering four locations on the southern side of River Noyyal. Six trenches have been dug up for over two metres at the location near Theneeswarar Temple and two each at the remaining sites. The excavations will continue till October, after which the findings will be documented by the team headed by Excavation Director K. Suresh from the Department of Archaeology.According to Mr. Suresh, the artefacts unearthed are believed to be belonging to three periods: First century BC to third century AD, fifth century AD to 10th century AD and 12th century AD to the British period.
