In a groundbreaking revelation, a new study has uncovered that iron usage in Tamil Nadu dates back to the 4th millennium BCE, making it the earliest recorded evidence of iron technology worldwide. This challenges previous beliefs that the Iron Age began around 1500–2000 BCE, redefining global timelines.

The report, titled Antiquity of Iron: Recent Radiometric Dates from Tamil Nadu, by K Rajan and R Sivanantham, highlights evidence from archaeological sites such as Sivagalai, Adichanallur, Mayiladumparai, and Kilnamandi. Advanced radiometric dating methods, including Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), dated iron tools and associated artifacts to as early as 3345 BCE.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled the report, emphasizing that India's historical narrative must now recognize Tamil Nadu as a pioneering hub of early metallurgy. The findings reveal sophisticated iron-smelting furnaces at sites like Kodumanal and Perungalur, which could achieve temperatures of 1,300°C, showcasing advanced pyro-technology.

These discoveries suggest that Tamil Nadu's Iron Age evolved contemporaneously with North India's Copper Age, proposing a unique cultural trajectory south of the Vindhyas. The advanced technology enabled the production of durable iron tools and weapons, highlighting the region's innovation in metallurgy.

Globally, the Iron Age has long been associated with the Hittite Empire (1300 BCE), but Tamil Nadu's findings suggest a much earlier beginning. Archaeological Commissioner T.N. Udhayachandran described the discovery as a monumental contribution to the global understanding of early civilizations.

Tamil Nadu's recent excavations not only rewrite India's ancient history but also establish the region as a global leader in early iron technology, setting new benchmarks in archaeological research.