TRICHY: A traditional tamil shadoof, believed to have been built during the later Chola era, was found over a dormant well near
Trichy on Saturday.
According to S Babu, research scholar at
Tamil University, the irrigation tool to draw water - also known as thula kinaru - is estimated to be more than 800 years old. The remains were found in Solanganallur village near
Manachanallur during an exploration study by Babu and his team. The shadoof, now dormant, was built with bricks. Stone pillars have been set up across the well to use the shadoof. At least two people are required to use the shadoof to draw water which is let into a canal made of stone for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Functional shadoofs are rarely found in the state and there is evidence of such wells extensively used in Jaffna in Sri Lanka.
Substantiating his claim, Babu said that a Chola era Sivalingam was found near this well. Besides, there are also evidences of a Siva temple located here that was ruined over time.
"We also found pieces of clay pots and stone accessories that were used during the later chola period which strengthened our doubts further," said Babu. "There are possibilities that this region was prosperous during the Chola period and may have got devastated due to war or natural calamity. Therefore, a detailed study of the place by the concerned authorities may throw light on the history of this region," he added.
Ancient engineering
