Pondicherry Museum is the best place to know Pondicherry’s history, which dates back to the late first century BCE. Pondicherry Museum is in Whitetown, next to Raj Nivas (Governor’s Bungalow). Pondicherry Museum is an 18th-century villa building in which French tradesman Carvalho used to live in. Later it was under the law and education department. In 1998, the building was saved from demolition and restored to become the current Pondicherry Museum.
Trade with Roman Empire
Pondicherry Museum has two important archaeological sources which link Pondicherry with the Roman Empire.
The first is “Koan Amphorae“, the ceramic container used to transport the wines. It was made with specific mechanical strength, standard vessel size and shape. These Amphorae found in Arikamedu were created from the island of Kos (East Aegean) in Greece.
The second one is “Terra Sigillata“, often called decorated tableware made in the ancient Roman Empire. Romans used to eat in these tablewares. Both these critical archaeological sources are on display at the Pondicherry Museum.
Arikamedu Glass Beads Industry
Arikamedu is known as the centre for bead making industry, dating back to BCE. They have imported raw materials from various places like carnelian, quartz, agate, citrine, and onyx stones. Arikamedu also had Mosaic stones from Roman Empire, and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. All these beads and raw materials were kept on display with name boards.
Chozha Empire Sculptures:
Do you know that Pondicherry Museum has the largest collection of chola empire bronze sculptures? It has 81 bronze sculptures from the Chola period. The huge Natarajar sculpture is the highlight of the Museum.
18th Century French Period:
Chest wall, wall clocks from the 18th century were kept on display at the Museum. On the first floor, they have displayed vehicles for transport like Palanquin, pousse pousse, bullock cart and coach for the visitors.
Cretaceous Period fossils:
Museum has a collection of the Cretaceous period fossils during the Trichy Ariyalur Cauvery basin uplift during the dinosaur era when India broke away from Antarctica and Australia. Ammonite, coral fragments etc., from that period were displayed at the Museum.
Besides this, the Museum has coins from different periods, such as Spears, Guns, Swords, Canon balls, etc.
Timings: 10.00 Am – 5.00 Pm
Days: Tuesday to Sunday (Monday Holiday)
Entrance Fees: Adults: Rs.10, Children: Rs.5, Foreigners: Rs.50
Note: Photography and Videography are not allowed inside the museum. Restroom available
