A breakthrough excavation near Madurai, India, has unearthed a set of wooden wheels encrusted with shimmering mica flakes, belonging to a ceremonial flower chariot. These artifacts, dating back to the Sangam period, were found in a waterlogged trench alongside preserved garlands of jasmine and jasmine-scented resins.
The discovery confirms that the tradition of massive public chariot festivals (Ratha Yatra) has its roots in the early Iron Age of South India. The mica coating was likely intended to make the chariot appear as if it were made of light or water as it was paraded through the streets during the annual spring flower-blessing ceremonies described in ancient Tamil poetry.