The archaeological sources of the Sangam period are limited. Those available are broadly classified into megaliths, herostones, inscriptions, artifacts, and coins.

Now let us discuss each one of these in detail.

Firstly we will discuss the megaliths. So what are these megaliths and why are they an important archaeological source? Well, a megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones.

The practice of setting up megaliths began about 3000 years ago and was prevalent throughout India. Most of the Megalith sites in the Deccan have been found in the hinterland rather than along the coast. Bellary, Aihole Brahmagiri, Warangal, Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, Maski and Rajan Kalur in Karnataka, and Arcot in Tamil Nadu are some of the important megalithic sites of peninsular India.

While some other megaliths can be seen on the surface, other megaliths' burials are often underground. The early people who inhabited the region are called megalith builders. The actual settlements have not survived, but their graves have. The graves are encircled by big pieces of stones. Human bones, pieces of pottery, and iron objects such as arrowheads, spearheads, hoes, and sickles have been excavated from these graves.

Generally, these burials are found with some pitchers, baskets, utensils, ornaments of stone and gold, tools, and weapons. These things were buried with dead shows the belief of people in the next world. Also, hunting tools and agricultural implements excavated from the graves indicate hunting and agricultural practices prevalent during the sangam period.

Herostones

As discussed earlier in the previous module, the literature of the period mentions the practice of glorifying heroes. They also state that when a hero dies, he is reduced to a piece of stone. This belief possibly led to the practice of raising herostones, called virakal, in honor of those who died fighting in the battles for the cause of the community.

Artifacts

What is an artifact? Well, an artifact is an object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest.

Excavations by archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote at Adhichanallur have brought to light a large number of objects made of iron, bronze and gold, depicting the life of ancient Tamils.

Excavations at Arikamedu by Sir Mortimer Wheeler have unearthed Roman pottery, glass blows, gems, coins, and many other objects. These confirm commercial contact between the Tamil country and the Roman Empire during this period.

Coins

The archaeologists have confirmed that the kings of the Sangam period issued coins of gold and silver. Roman gold and silver coins have also been found across Tamil Nadu.
These coins also provide proof of the existence of trade links between the Roman world and the Tamil rulers of the Sangam Period.

Read More: Sangam Age: Society, Position Of Women, Entertainment, and Marriage