Excavations near Madurai have unearthed the ruins of a brick temple dating back approximately 2,200 years to the Sangam Era. The find is significant as it provides physical evidence of pre-structural temple traditions in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to a local Mother Goddess deity, evidenced by several terracotta figurines and offering bowls found in the sanctum area. The construction uses large, sun-dried bricks held together by a lime-and-sand mortar.
Researchers note that the layout is relatively simple, consisting of a square sanctum and a small porch, which predates the grand stone gopurams of the later Pandyan and Chola periods. Carbon dating of organic remains within the bricks has confirmed a timeline between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE. This site is expected to become a cornerstone for understanding early Tamil religious architecture.