Buried treasure: Items recovered from Kerala village include Venetian 'Kasumala' and 'Kannur Panam'

Taliparamba (Kannur): The Archaeological Department has confirmed that the treasure trove found at Parippayi in Sreekandapuram here in Kerala belongs to the period from 1659 to 1826. 

The treasure kept at the Taliparamba Revenue Divisional Office was inspected by a team led by Kozhikode Pazhassiraja Archaeological Museum Officer in Charge K Krishnaraj and Museum Guide V A Vimalkumar on Wednesday.

The collection included ‘kasumala’ (traditional necklaces), gold beads, coins of Ali Raja, coins that were in circulation in Kannur and Puducherry, two silver coins of Zamorin, Indo-French coins, Jimikki earrings (Jhumkas) and some pearls used in necklaces. The most important are the ‘kasumalas’.

Krishnaraj said that the necklaces were made using gold coins called Venetian ducats, which were made during the time of the three Dukes of Venice in Italy.  A total of 13 gold kasumalas of this type were found. A kasumala weighs up to five grams. 

Another is two silver coins known as ‘Veerarayan coin’ of Zamorin. It has two silver coins known as ‘Kannur Panam’ of Ali Raja’s time of 1826 and Indo-French coins minted by the French from Puducherry. These were known as Puducherry coins. The latest in this hoard are the Kannur coins of Ali Raja of 1826. It is concluded that the collection must have been buried here after this period.

It was probably used by some wealthy people as it was found stored in a copper box. Those who came for the inspection said that they needed to study the documents related to the place as to how the treasure reached underground.

The treasure collection consists of objects that can be in possession of the Archaeological Department. While the Revenue Department has to decide on the reward for the finder. The official added that the Archaeological Department will be displaying these coins and gold ornaments in its museums.