The Karnataka archaeology department is busy completing the formalities to get the 19 cannonballs that were unearthed in Chamarajpet on Monday.
Nineteen cannonballs made of sinite stone were found by construction workers digging a sump at the office of Karnataka Film Artists Association. Believed to be from the Tipu Sultan era, the ammunition is a prized find for the department of archaeology, museums and heritage. However, the Karnataka Film Artists Association wants the department to follow due procedure before taking them.
"We are preparing a formal letter addressing the office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Artists Association. We will take the cannonballs in a day or two and keep them at the museum," said R Gopal, director (museum), department of archaeology, museum and heritage.
Rockline Venkatesh, the secretary of Karnataka Film Artists Association, said their only concern was that the heritage asset shouldn't land in wrong hands. "Many people came to the spot claiming they were from the archaeology department. We have no objection handing over the cannonballs to the government, but that will be only after the due process is followed," said Venkatesh.
Gopal said a curator from the museum visited the spot on Tuesday and inspected the ammunition. Officials believe the cannonballs are from the Tipu era as the spot where they were found is close to Tipu's armoury in Kalasipalyam. Also, the place is just a stone's throw away from Tipu's summer palace near KR Market.
"The entire area is believed to be part of Tipu's armoury. The cannonballs that were unearthed must be from that period," said Gopal.
Nineteen cannonballs made of sinite stone were found by construction workers digging a sump at the office of Karnataka Film Artists Association. Believed to be from the Tipu Sultan era, the ammunition is a prized find for the department of archaeology, museums and heritage. However, the Karnataka Film Artists Association wants the department to follow due procedure before taking them.
"We are preparing a formal letter addressing the office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Artists Association. We will take the cannonballs in a day or two and keep them at the museum," said R Gopal, director (museum), department of archaeology, museum and heritage.
Rockline Venkatesh, the secretary of Karnataka Film Artists Association, said their only concern was that the heritage asset shouldn't land in wrong hands. "Many people came to the spot claiming they were from the archaeology department. We have no objection handing over the cannonballs to the government, but that will be only after the due process is followed," said Venkatesh.
Gopal said a curator from the museum visited the spot on Tuesday and inspected the ammunition. Officials believe the cannonballs are from the Tipu era as the spot where they were found is close to Tipu's armoury in Kalasipalyam. Also, the place is just a stone's throw away from Tipu's summer palace near KR Market.
"The entire area is believed to be part of Tipu's armoury. The cannonballs that were unearthed must be from that period," said Gopal.