Ring wells are used as toilets in some cases, and also, as drains and garbage dumps. These ring wells are usually found in individual houses.

In many cities, archaeologists have found rows of pots or ceramic rings arranged one on top of the other. These are known as ring wells.

The earliest works in Tamil, known as Sangam literature, were composed around 2300 years ago. These texts were called Sangam because they were supposed to have been composed and compiled in assemblies (known as Sangams) of poets that were held in the city of Madurai.

The craftsperson buys raw material from different parts of the city or the village. He works in a part of the house, with the help of the family members.
He works with simple tools like looms, spindles and needles. The finished product is sent either to the cities for selling or the merchants come to the house of the craftsperson to buy goods.

(i) Growth of towns: The establishment of kingdoms and empires led to an increase in agriculture and trade. Internal and overseas trade routes opened up. These developments resulted in the growth of towns.
(ii) Greater agriculture production: Agricultural production increased due to an increased use of iron tools. It became possible to produce more from the same land. Iron tools such as axe helped in clearing forests. The kings of the period also encouraged the building of irrigation works and dug wells, tanks and canals.
(iii) Growth of crafts: Arts and crafts also flourished. Each village had potters, weavers, dyers, metal workers, carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, garland makers, basket makers and other craftsmen.
(iv) Functions of town: Some towns were religious centres, while others were administrative centres. Broach, Sopara and Tamralipti were trading centres.

(i) Arikamedu is located in Pondicherry. Between 2200 and 1900 years ago, this site was a coastal settlement where ships unloaded goods from distant lands.
(ii) A massive brick structure, which may have been a warehouse, was found at the site.
(iii) Other finds of Arikamedu included pottery from the Mediterranean region, such as amphorae, stamped red-glazed pottery, local made pottery which used Roman designs.
(iv) Roman lamps, glassware and gems have also been found at the site.
(vi) Small tanks have been found that were probably used to dye cloth.
(vii) There is plenty of evidence for the making of beads from semi-precious stones and glass.