Child with bird, Virampatnam, Arikamedu, 1st-2nd century CE. Musee Guimet.

Roman piece of pottery from Arezzo, Latium, found at Virampatnam, Arikamedu (1st century CE). Musee Guimet.

Grey pottery with engravings, Virampatnam, Arikamedu, 1st century CE.

Arikamedu is an archaeological site near Pondicherry, southern India, where Mortimer Wheeler conducted its best-known excavation in the 1940s. According to Wheeler, Arikamedu was a Tamil fishing village which was formerly a major Chola port dedicated to bead making and trading with Roman traders . It flourished for centuries until the Romans left. Various Roman artifacts, such as a large number of amphorae bearing the mark of Roman potter schools VIBII, CAMURI and ITTA, have been found at the site, supporting the view on an ancient trade between Rome and the ancient Tamil country of present day south India. Now Arikamedu is a part of Ariyankuppam Commune.

References

• R.E. Mortimer Wheeler, My Archaeological Mission to India and Pakistan, Thames and Hudson, London, 1976. ISBN 0-500-05028-7

See also

• Roman trade with India

External links

• Excavations at Arikamedu
• Arikamedu on the website of Government of Pondicherry
• Exploration Off Arikamedu by Archaeological Survey of India
• Arikamedu Archaeological Site in India - A Brief Note by Discover India Site
• Poduke or Arikamedu the most ancient Tamil city
• Official site of Arikamedu Museum Gallery

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