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News: The third phase of underwater archaeological exploration has commenced off Poompuhar to trace the maritime trade links of ancient Tamils.
About Ancient Port of Poompuhar
- Poompuhar was a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveripoompattinam.
- Location: It is located in Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu, near where the Cauveri River flows into the Bay of Bengal.
- Naming: ‘Puhar’ in Tamil means the estuary of a river in the sea.
- Historical Significance:
- Chola capital: Poompuhar served as the capital of the Early Chola kings in Tamilakam for a period.
- Maritime trade: The city had maritime trade links with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia and the West, including Egypt.
- Literary references: Sangam works such as Pattinappaalai, Silappadikaram and Manimekalai describe the city, its settlements and maritime trade.
- Key Findings
- Ancient pottery: Pottery dating to the 4th century BCE has been discovered offshore east of Poompuhar.
- Submerged structures: Surveys found an elliptical structure near a previously identified U-shaped structure, along with other structures buried in the seabed.
- Possible ancient harbour: Earlier research identified features that could have been a harbour, dockyards, human settlements and a lighthouse.
- Lighthouse: Remains of an ancient lighthouse were found at a depth of 50 metres, including a spiral staircase and causeway pillars.
