Ninth century relics discovered in Hanyaameedhoo
A coral box dating back to the ninth century has been discovered buried underground on the island of Hanyaameedhoo in Alif Dhaal atoll. The box contained about a kilo of cowrie shells and an idol resembling a cow. Cowrie shells were used as currency in antiquity and the cow idol is believed to have been an object of worship.
13 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
A coral box dating back to the ninth century has been discovered buried underground on the island of Hanyaameedhoo in Alif Dhaal atoll.
The box contained about a kilo of cowrie shells and an idol resembling a cow. Cowrie shells were used as currency in antiquity and the cow idol is believed to have been an object of worship.
The relics were discovered by Jamshaad Mohamed in his house last week. He was digging a hole to plant trees.
“It was buried about two feet under the ground. I didn’t think anything of it at first. I just cleaned the shells and gave them to my children to play,” he said.
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