Saluvankuppam coastal temple- excavation and application of soil micro morphology

The 26 December 2004 tsunami exposed an inscription of the 10th century engraved on a rock boulder at Saluvankuppam, 6 km north of Mamallapuram. The inscription indicates the existence of a Subramanya temple. The temple and the mound around the granite inselberg were excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle. The excavation exposed the entire Subramanya temple complex constructed over a period of time (4th/5th CE to 12th/13th CE). The temple complex and the litho sections reveal phases of temple complex constructed over a period of time (4th/5th CE to 12th/13th CE), was unravelled. The area in and around Mamallapuram is well known for its cave temples, monoliths, bass relief and stone structural temples. The discovery and excavation of a brick temple of the Pallava period links the early brick structure to the later stone edifices. The excavation revealed that the temple structure was rectangular and was built abutting the granite rock boulder. In due course, the temple was developed from brick into stone. The excavation brought to light many aspects of temple construction techniques that were followed by the Pallavas. The temple complex has been dated to the Pallava period based on architectural and epigraphical evidences as follows