Sivaganga: Archaeologists in Sivaganga district have uncovered a rare, fully intact globular-shaped red-slipped pot featuring a distinct fish graffiti symbol during the ongoing 11th phase of the Keeladi excavations.The ongoing phase 11 excavation at Keeladi yielded a significant number of discoveries, such as postholes filled with river sand at a depth of two metres, a sophisticated technique designed to prevent termite infestation and decay in wooden posts.Adding to the list, another significant discovery was made at the Keeladi excavation. Director of the Keeladi excavation Ramesh Masethung told TOI that the red-slipped pot featuring a distinct fish graffiti symbol was unearthed at a depth of around two metres; the vessel, sized less than a foot, is a significant breakthrough.“While fragmented potsherds bearing symbols are commonly recovered, discovering an entire unbroken container was significant,” he added.C Santhalingam, a retired archaeologist who worked for the state govt, said that a symbol of a single fish was discovered during an excavation conducted earlier in 2014-15; a ring well bearing the fish symbol was also found.“The fish is considered a symbol of prosperity. Moreover, since the fish was the emblem of the Pandyas, its discovery in Madurai is not unusual. Even at Adichanallur, artefacts featuring figures such as the goddess Kotravai, a deer and a lizard — as well as a depiction of a crane perched on a crop with a fish on its beak — have been unearthed,” he added.