A major restoration project led by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology at a remote 11th-century temple in the Sivagangai district has yielded an unprecedented discovery. While cleaning the outer prakaram (courtyard) walls, conservators found a series of granite friezes that were originally reinforced with ivory-cored supports. These panels provide a detailed visual record of medieval Chola agricultural techniques, depicting irrigation sluices, variety of paddy seeds, and ritual offerings dedicated to the harvest.
The temple, which was partially buried under centuries of silt, shows a unique architectural transition between Early and Imperial Chola styles. Inscriptions found on the basement stones detail the management of local water bodies by a village council, highlighting the sophisticated decentralized governance of the era. The restoration team is currently using laser-cleaning technology to stabilize the fragile ivory components without damaging the surrounding stone work.