India, Jan. 27 -- Archaeologists in Tamil Nadu have discovered an 8-foot-long iron spear at Thirumalapuram, around 80km from Sivagalai in Tuticorin, marking the longest iron implement from the Iron Age found in India so far.

The spear may have been used by ancient warriors to protect cattle and wealth, or it could have served as a ceremonial object smelted for a prominent individual and buried alongside them.

The excavation also revealed a second, shorter spear measuring 6.5ft, placed in an 'X' formation beside an urn that contained gold objects. The longer spear is slightly rounded at one end, suggesting it was designed for ease of handling. Such burial sites have previously yielded other weapon-grade objects, including daggers, swords...