Book review

KOCHI: Muziris, Attimariyude Reethisasthram is a collection of studies by eminent historians, archaeology experts and academics on the importance of archaeological excavations and findings to put the history of an ancient civilization and a nation in the right perspective on the basis of the excavated materials.The studies have been compiled and published by the Muziris Paithruka Parirakshana Vedi in the light of the controversies surrounding certain conclusions being reached by those who are engeged in the excavations in Pattanam.   Distinguished scholar in Harappan Studies Michel Danino sets the mood of the whole exercise and highlights the need for reaching unbiased conclusions through is  column Digging into the Human Mind.‘’While a search for identity is a legitimate one, it should not be based on jiongoism or regional nationalism,’’  says Danino. Objectivity should be the cardinal principle which should guide archaeologists and historians to arrive at conclusions based on the unearthed findings.St Thomas Hoax with its Historical Roots in the larger context of Dravidian Faultline by Rajiv Malhotra and Aravindan Neelakandan, the Cultural Ecology of Periyar by C I Issac, The Royal and The Sacred at Vanchi by Sekkizhar, Cheraman Perumal Naayanaar and the works of the Sangam period by Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer, Vanchi Pattanam by Prof Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, the historical importance of the Perumal regime by E M S Namboodiripad, Trade Teams by K K Pillai, Nataraja in Murals of Thiruvanchikulam by Dr C Sivaramamurti, Metal Images from Thiruvanchikulam by R Vasudeva Puduval, Architecture of Thiruvanchikulam and Stone Sculptures by H Sarkar, Marketing Archaeology at Pattanam by Prof P Rajendran, Sahyasanuvil Oru Rajadhani by M Raman Nampoothiry, Muziris - A Mystery Yet to be Unearthed by P K Gopi are among the studies which find a place in the collection.The viewpoints by journalist P Rajan, art historian M G Sashibhushan and academic N M Namboodiri highlight the need for tracing the great civilizations of antiquity in a disinterested manner.The objective threadbare discussions across the academic circles should help in confirming on the basis of incontrovertible evidence the exact site of Muziris. The essays edited by C I Isaac, Velayudhan Panikkassery and Satheeschandran Koodathil should put the excavations and the inferences on the right path of genuine research.