“Nearly 2,000 years later, their names still echo from the walls of Egypt.”
A remarkable discovery in Valley of the Kings has opened a new chapter in the history of ancient Tamil civilisation, revealing that Tamils not only traded with Egypt but also travelled deep into its cultural heart nearly 2,000 years ago.
During a detailed study conducted in 2024 and 2025, Professors Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies and Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne identified around 30 ancient inscriptions carved within six tombs in the Theban necropolis. Most of these inscriptions were written in Tamil-Brahmi, the earliest script of the Tamil language, while others appeared in Prakrit and Sanskrit. These inscriptions date back to between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE, a period when Egypt was part of the vast Roman Empire.
These brief but powerful carvings were left by visitors who etched their names onto the walls of tomb corridors and entrances, following a long-standing Mediterranean custom of marking one’s presence at monumental sites. Among the names discovered, one stood out prominently - “Cikai Koṟṟaṉ.” This name was inscribed eight times across five different tombs, sometimes high on interior walls and near entrances, suggesting deliberate and meaningful placement. In one instance, the inscription appeared nearly four metres above the ground, reflecting the determination of its author to leave a lasting mark.
Scholars believe the name Koṟṟaṉ carries deep Tamil roots associated with victory and kingship, echoing the martial traditions of ancient Tamil society. The same name has previously been found at Berenike, an important Roman-era port that connected Egypt with the Indian Ocean trade network. Its appearance in both coastal and inland Egyptian locations strengthens the evidence that Tamil merchants and travellers journeyed far beyond trading ports into the Nile valley itself.
Researchers have identified 2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions inside the high-security royal tombs of the valley of the Kings in Egypt.
Among the inscriptions found in six rock-cut tombs, 20 are in Tamili and the remaining 10 are in Sanskrit and Prakrit, implying that… https://t.co/C6QMwIDhVn pic.twitter.com/znQpvXdezJ— The Story Teller (@IamTheStory__) February 13, 2026
Other Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions recorded names such as Kopāṉ, Cātaṉ and Kiraṉ. One inscription, translated as “Kopāṉ came and saw,” reflects a simple yet profound human impulse to record one’s presence in a distant and foreign land. These names also appear in early inscriptions in South India, confirming their connection to ancient Tamilagam.
This discovery significantly expands earlier understanding of Tamil trade and movement. Until now, most archaeological evidence of Tamil presence in Egypt had been limited to coastal trading centres. The Valley of the Kings inscriptions demonstrate that Tamil travellers were not merely merchants operating at ports, but individuals who explored inland regions and participated in shared cultural practices of the ancient world.
The findings were welcomed by Thangam Thennarasu of Tamil Nadu, who described the inscriptions as powerful proof of the global reach of Tamil civilisation. He noted that these discoveries highlight how Tamils were part of an interconnected international network long before the modern concept of globalisation emerged.
Historically, these inscriptions stand as silent yet enduring witnesses to an age when Tamil seafarers crossed vast oceans, reached distant kingdoms, and left their identity carved in stone. They reveal a civilisation that was not isolated but deeply engaged with the wider world of people who carried their language, culture and presence across continents.
Today, nearly two millennia later, those simple words etched into Egyptian tomb walls continue to speak, reminding the world that the story of the Tamils has always been one of movement, courage and global connection.
Source : The Hindu
