Tamil epigraphy provides irrefutable physical proof of early literacy among ancient South Indian societies. Over 60 percent of all stone inscriptions discovered by the Epigraphical Survey of India are located in Tamil Nadu, numbering more than 30,000 recorded stone and copper-plate records.
Tamil-Brahmi (Damili) Script
The earliest written records, dated from 500 BCE to 300 CE, are found carved into natural granite rock caves in Mangulam, Alagarmalai, and Sittannavasal. Termed Tamil-Brahmi, this script adapted the Brahmi alphabet specifically for Tamil phonology by adding four unique characters: ள் (L), ற் (R), ன் (N), and ழ் (Zh).
The Evolution of Vatteluttu (Round Script)
By the 4th century CE, scribes writing rapidly on palm leaves using iron styluses transformed angular rock-cut letters into sweeping curves. Straight horizontal lines were eliminated because sharp angles tore delicate dried palm leaves. This gave rise to Vatteluttu (Round Script).