Tamil Nadu: 11th century Chola era stone oil press found in Perambalur village

TRICHY: A group of archaeological enthusiasts has identified a Chola era stone oil press (Kal Sekku) in Vengalam village in Perambalur district. Based on the pattern of the Tamil script engraved on the press, epigraphists estimated that the object may belong to the 11th century. The stone oil press is still being used by the villagers to grind flour while celebrating festivals in a temple nearby.
The team comprising M Selvapandian, Ramesh Karuppiah and P Vasanthan spotted the stone press near a Selliamman temple in the outskirts of Vengalam village. It measures 33cm in height and 71cm in diameter. The well of the press was 30cm deep and 20cm in diameter. The side portion of the press was engraved with a few lines in Tamil.
Research scholar and iconographist Selvapandian said the script identifies ‘Malladi Naattan’ as the sponsor or maker of the stone press. “It must have been established for public use, probably to produce oil for lamps in temples or for food or medicinal purposes. There are similar stone oil press identified in Perambalur district but the one found in Vengalam village is the oldest one identified so far,” said Selvapandian.
The readable script says the stone press was installed in ‘pandhal ambalam’ (community centre). Except for the top surface eroded due the weather, the rest of the stone structure is intact. “Vengalam village could have served as a mercantile town during Chola kingdom. There were other archaeological evidence that a merchant guild functioned in the village,” Ramesh Karuppiah, an archaeology enthusiast told TOI.
Usually, the stone oil press installed centuries ago mentions the purpose of press but such a mention was not found in this one, Karuppiah added. Senjeri and Chandramanai Velur in the Perambalur district have such similar stone oil press but their period was classified as the 18th century.