Kannur: While excavating a rain-harvesting trench at a private rubber plantation in Chengalayi on Friday, July 12, a group of local women laborers made an amazing discovery: they discovered a container holding gold and silver coins from the 18th century. The first response was one of conjecture and terror. In Kannur, a politically volatile area, some ladies were afraid the pot had black magic artifacts, while others were concerned it may be an unexploded crude bomb.
Their enthusiasm swiftly overcame their anxieties, though, when they saw that the pot was packed with priceless diamonds and antique coins that are said to be quite valuable. This surprising discovery has caused the village of Chengalai in the Kannur district to abruptly rise to prominence on the map. Eagerness among the people grew as word of the discovery circulated quickly.
The Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum’s officer in charge, K. Krishna Raj, emphasized that the coins have distinctive trademarks from the late 18th century, such as Kannur Ali Raja and Indo-French insignia. The bead necklaces appear to be from the same period as well. Raj emphasized that to completely clarify the historical background and value of these artifacts, a thorough investigation is required.
He emphasized that a thorough investigation of this kind is essential to comprehending not just the history of the area but also the larger cultural and commercial ties of that period. The police have blocked off the area, presumably to protect it from future excavations by the State Archaeology Department. The discovery may throw new light on the past of the area, thus historians and archaeologists are keen to investigate the find’s historical relevance.
