CHENNAI: DMK president

, who visited

excavation site in Sivaganga district on Friday, was thrilled by the remains of the civilisation of the

people. He said officials present at the site showed him evidence to the fact that the ancient people played a chess-like game.

In a letter to party cadre on Saturday, the DMK chief said, “The

show that Tamil people had built a city 2,600 years ago and constructed houses with bricks with limestone. The houses had good roofs,” he said.

Stalin said the excavations showed that

raised cows, buffaloes and goats. They used to kill animals for food.

“They also played a chess-like game, which gives exercise to the brain,” Stalin said.

The word ‘Dravida’ then was called 'ithramida' which later became 'ithravida' and finally ‘Dravida," Stalin said quoting officials.

The DMK chief wanted such excavations to be carried out in other parts of Tamil Nadu.