Tsunami unearths gifts for archaeology

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Tsunami unearths gifts for archaeology

 

February 11 2005 at 04:03PM

 

The deadly tsunamis that crashed into southern India unearthed

priceless relics, including two granite lions, that had lain buried

under the sand for centuries, archaeologists say.

 

A team from the Archaeological Survey of India descended on the

ancient seaport of Mahabalipuram, 70km south of Madras, to examine the

"gifts" left after the tsunami redrew the entire coastline.

 

They include the remnants of a stone house and a half-completed rock

elephant, archaeologists said late on Thursday. There are also two

giant granite lions, one seated and another poised to charge. The

statues are each carved out of a single piece of granite stone,

testifying to the carver's skill.

 

The objects were uncovered when the towering waves withdrew from the

beach, carrying huge amounts of sand with them.

 

The waves that killed over 285 000 people throughout Asia also appear

to have swept a bronze Buddha to Indian shores from Thailand in a

basket attached to a bamboo raft, archaeologists say. - Sapa-AFP

 

This article was originally published on page 8 of Cape Argus on

February 11, 2005

 

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=vn20050211110313850C1\

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