India
Rural employment scheme workers dig up gold coins | India News – Times of India
KANNAUR: A group of MGNREGS workers dig rainwater collection wells in a rubber plantation in Kerala Kannur District literally struck gold on Friday when they dug up a mud pot containing gold and silver coins and ornaments. On Saturday morning, five more silver coins and two gold ornaments were found at the same spot.
The valuables were found on a private property near Parippai Govt LP School in Chemagai panchayat. A preliminary investigation by the department of archaeology determined that the ancient objects were approximately 200 years old.
The workers thought the jar was a bomb and initially threw it away, fearing an explosion. However, when the small container burst open, they were shocked to discover that it contained precious treasures – 17 pearl beads, 13 gold lockets, four lockets believed to be part of the traditional ornament ‘kashumala’, a pair of earrings and silver coins.
“When we saw the gold and silver items, we were surprised and confused about what to do. We then informed the panchayat president,” said Ashitha, one of the workers. The panchayat authorities immediately informed the police about the findings. The Taliparamba police reached the spot, seized the items and presented them to the Taliparamba court of first class.
The archaeology department is likely to launch a detailed investigation into the discovery to check if there is any treasure at the site. The department has also decided to take over the recovery to verify the authenticity of the materials. “The location where the antiquities were found has no historical significance, so the items could be part of a personal collection. However, we can only come to a conclusion after an investigation,” an official said.
The valuables were found on a private property near Parippai Govt LP School in Chemagai panchayat. A preliminary investigation by the department of archaeology determined that the ancient objects were approximately 200 years old.
The workers thought the jar was a bomb and initially threw it away, fearing an explosion. However, when the small container burst open, they were shocked to discover that it contained precious treasures – 17 pearl beads, 13 gold lockets, four lockets believed to be part of the traditional ornament ‘kashumala’, a pair of earrings and silver coins.
“When we saw the gold and silver items, we were surprised and confused about what to do. We then informed the panchayat president,” said Ashitha, one of the workers. The panchayat authorities immediately informed the police about the findings. The Taliparamba police reached the spot, seized the items and presented them to the Taliparamba court of first class.
The archaeology department is likely to launch a detailed investigation into the discovery to check if there is any treasure at the site. The department has also decided to take over the recovery to verify the authenticity of the materials. “The location where the antiquities were found has no historical significance, so the items could be part of a personal collection. However, we can only come to a conclusion after an investigation,” an official said.
