First ring well with design unearthed at Keeladi site

Terracotta ring well has thumb impressions carved on a band

Every season of excavation at Keeladi archaeological site has unearthed ring wells, an indicator of the advanced water conservation technology that existed more than 2,000 years ago. But the recovery of a terracotta ring well with thumb impressions creatively carved on a band around its surface, ushered in a wave of excitement among the staff at work. “So far we have excavated a dozen plain ring wells and this is the first one with an intricate design,” said M. Ramesh, one of the four Archaeological Officers (AO), who has been assigned to the Keeladi site from round one.