puducherry an archaeologist and his team of students have made replicas and paintings portraying the 2nd century bc port town of arikamedu the ruins of which now lie underneath the banks of the ariyankuppam river 6km from the puducherry town limits p ravi assistant professor of history at tagore government arts college and his team highlighted the activities of the town that flourished as a major port in the world between 2nd century bc and 2nd century ad giving visual information on beadmaking and textile industries commercial and activities inland activities and human settlements arikamedu which is the only archaeological site that has cultural continuity from 300 bc to 1800 ad is regarded as a datum line for entire south india to date ancient artifacts excavated elsewhere the port town had good trade links with countries in the east and west exporting textiles items spices beads of semiprecious stones and bangles from shells and importing mediterranean wine ceramic lamps glass bowls gems and olive oil among others ravi and his team have made an effort to portray the transformation of the union territory of puducherry from an ancient port town to a french fort town through replicas paintings and photographs the aim is to enlighten the present generation on the rich cultural history of our region and to help them understand its significance ravi who was part of a team led by noted archaeologist vimala bagley that excavated arikamedu from 1989 to 1994 said he also worked under famous archaeologist edward c harris on castle island bermuda in 2003 these replicas paintings and photographs have been exhibited at the department of history tagore government arts college from september 30 the exhibition concludes on october 4