<p>When 12 grader Pravitha P A found a ‘button’ at an excavation site in Pattanam, which also happened to be her uncle K S Sukumaran’s backyard, little did she know the relevance of the bauble. P J Cherian, director of PAMA Institute, a Kerala-based Trust that led the excavation, instantly knew the button was a rare find, <em>The Indian Express </em>reports. </p>.<p>After thorough correspondence over three months, experts came to the following conclusions - the 1.2 cm-long object was most probably part of a seal-ring, akin to one worn by Augustus Caesar. </p>.<p>The discovery of the stone is another piece of evidence that re-asserts that modern-day Pattanam could be Muziris, the iconic port city that flourished between 1st century BC and 4th century AD.</p>.<p>Muziris flourished after the fall of Egypt to Rome and was a pivotal trading area between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Trade of pepper, precious stones, ivory, pottery from Muziris to West Asia and Rome was the norm. </p>.<p>Muziris lost its sheen not much later, either due to the decline of the Roman empire or due to the silting of its harbours by a flood. </p>.<p>The ring could have reached modern-day Pattanam, through traders or through merchants. Several thousand seals would have been in existence during the time, each authorised by the emperor and used on his behalf. </p>.<p>Another possibility is that the seal was produced in Pattanam itself. </p>.<p>“Wastage of the banded agate precious stone (on which the Sphinx was carved) was found in the same trench, along with cameo blanks, indicating that there was a lapidary workshop in Pattanam 2,000 years ago,” P J Cherian told the publication. </p>.<p>The 66 trenches excavated in the village so far constitute less than 1 per cent of the 111 acres of the Pattanam archaeological mound. </p>.<p>The mammoth task of working through it lies ahead of Cherian and his team. </p>.<p>“A beautiful world where there was openness of mind. We are yet to find a weapon in Pattanam,” Cherian told the publication when asked about how he envisioned Muziris.</p>
<p>When 12 grader Pravitha P A found a ‘button’ at an excavation site in Pattanam, which also happened to be her uncle K S Sukumaran’s backyard, little did she know the relevance of the bauble. P J Cherian, director of PAMA Institute, a Kerala-based Trust that led the excavation, instantly knew the button was a rare find, <em>The Indian Express </em>reports. </p>.<p>After thorough correspondence over three months, experts came to the following conclusions - the 1.2 cm-long object was most probably part of a seal-ring, akin to one worn by Augustus Caesar. </p>.<p>The discovery of the stone is another piece of evidence that re-asserts that modern-day Pattanam could be Muziris, the iconic port city that flourished between 1st century BC and 4th century AD.</p>.<p>Muziris flourished after the fall of Egypt to Rome and was a pivotal trading area between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Trade of pepper, precious stones, ivory, pottery from Muziris to West Asia and Rome was the norm. </p>.<p>Muziris lost its sheen not much later, either due to the decline of the Roman empire or due to the silting of its harbours by a flood. </p>.<p>The ring could have reached modern-day Pattanam, through traders or through merchants. Several thousand seals would have been in existence during the time, each authorised by the emperor and used on his behalf. </p>.<p>Another possibility is that the seal was produced in Pattanam itself. </p>.<p>“Wastage of the banded agate precious stone (on which the Sphinx was carved) was found in the same trench, along with cameo blanks, indicating that there was a lapidary workshop in Pattanam 2,000 years ago,” P J Cherian told the publication. </p>.<p>The 66 trenches excavated in the village so far constitute less than 1 per cent of the 111 acres of the Pattanam archaeological mound. </p>.<p>The mammoth task of working through it lies ahead of Cherian and his team. </p>.<p>“A beautiful world where there was openness of mind. We are yet to find a weapon in Pattanam,” Cherian told the publication when asked about how he envisioned Muziris.</p>
