Archaeologists in Tamil Nadu have unearthed an 8-foot-long iron spear dating back to around 3345 BCE, making it the longest Iron Age iron weapon discovered in India to date. The discovery was made at an Iron Age burial site in Thirumalapuram near Thoothukudi (Tuticorin).
The spear was found alongside a second iron spear measuring approximately 6.5 feet, as well as an urn containing gold objects. According to archaeologists, the two spears were arranged in an X-shaped formation, indicating that the burial was not ordinary and may have held ritual or symbolic significance.
Experts believe the unusually long spear may have served either as a ceremonial object or as a weapon used by ancient communities to protect cattle and stored wealth, which were considered vital assets during the Iron Age. The spear is slightly rounded at one end, possibly to facilitate handling.
The iron weapon has survived in remarkably good condition, a fact researchers attribute to the dry soil conditions in Tamil Nadu, which helped preserve the metal over thousands of years. Previous Iron Age burial sites in India have yielded weapons such as daggers, swords and knives, but no iron spear of this size has been documented so far.
Archaeologists said the find significantly enhances scholarly understanding of prehistoric metallurgy and social hierarchies in the region. Producing an iron weapon of this size would have required advanced metallurgical knowledge, as iron smelting typically requires temperatures between 1,200°C and 1,500°C, suggesting the presence of well-developed furnace technology and skilled metalworkers during the period.
To further analyse the discovery, the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology has partnered with the metallurgy department of IIT Gandhinagar. The joint research initiative will examine Iron Age sites across Tamil Nadu and is expected to continue until 2028.
Source: OpIndia
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