Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s23.t4.25

c23.s23.t4.25

A unique graffito found at Alagankulam³ during 1996-97 depicts the stern of a sailing ship (Fig. 4.3). Fine details like the steering oars, aftermast and its rigging, the mainmast and a latticed bulwark running above the hull are shown. Lionel Casson, an expert on ancient Greco-Roman ships, has examined a photograph of the graffito and has compared the features depicted in it with those of the Mediterranean ships of the Imperial Roman period (ca. 1-3 centuries A.D.). On the basis of the comparison, he has been able to identify the Alagankulam graffito as depicting a three-master Roman sailing ship, the largest type of Greco-Roman merchantmen used on the long and demanding voyage between Egypt and India.¹ We should be thankful to the unknown Tamil artist who has so vividly portrayed the Roman ship calling at the Alagankulam port, no doubt bringing in gold and wine and taking off with pepper and pearls, ivory and textiles.