Tamil Nadu Findings Push Iron Age Origins to 3345 BCE

New archaeological evidence reveals advanced iron smelting in Tamil Nadu over 5,300 years ago, reshaping global and Indian historical timelines.

Carbon dating from samples in Sivagalai, Tamil Nadu, confirms iron usage as early as 3345 BCE, predating prior estimates by over two millennia.
The findings suggest Tamil Nadu was a global pioneer in iron smelting, with advanced metallurgical techniques requiring temperatures of 1,200–1,400°C.
The research, validated by international labs and experts, establishes the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu as contemporaneous with the Copper Age in northern India.
The discovery challenges longstanding narratives of Indian history, emphasizing Tamil Nadu's independent cultural and technological advancements.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the results as part of broader efforts to highlight Tamil Nadu's historical significance and launched new museum projects to preserve these findings.