Poompuhar Excavations Trace Ancient Tamil Maritime Networks

New Evidence From Underwater Excavations

Poompuhar Excavations Trace Ancient Tamil Maritime Networks: Recent underwater exploration near Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu has added fresh evidence to the port city’s ancient maritime connections. The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA), in collaboration with Indian Maritime University, conducted an 18-day underwater excavation.

Archaeologists recovered a fragment of a West Asian torpedo jar, four terracotta ring wells and more than 250 ceramic fragments. These findings strengthen the evidence that Poompuhar participated in long-distance maritime exchange networks.

Poompuhar and the Early Cholas

Poompuhar, also known as Kaveripoompattinam, is located in present-day Mayiladuthurai district, near the mouth of the Cauvery River where it meets the Bay of Bengal.

The settlement is closely associated with the early Cholas and occupies an important place in Sangam and post-Sangam literature. Archaeological evidence, including carbon dating of a wooden log, has been cited for occupation dating back to around the 5th–4th century BCE.

Static GK fact: Poompuhar is traditionally described through three major divisions — Maruvurppakkam, the coastal quarter; Pattinappakkam, the western section; and Nalangadi, the area between them.

A Major Maritime Trading Centre

Poompuhar developed as an important commercial centre where merchants from different parts of India and overseas regions interacted. Historical accounts refer to imports from the Ganges region, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, while maritime routes connected the port with Arabia, Rome and other regions.

The tiger emblem associated with the Cholas was reportedly used as a customs or identifying mark on exported goods. Earlier archaeological and historical studies have also pointed to vessels travelling from ports such as Tamralipti and Palur before continuing towards Southeast Asia and western maritime regions.

What the Torpedo Jar Reveals

The newly identified ceramic fragment belongs to a type of torpedo jar, generally associated with the transportation of liquid commodities such as wine and olive oil across ancient maritime routes.

The fragment has an estimated diameter of 30–35 cm. Its West Asian association provides additional archaeological evidence for Poompuhar’s participation in wider Indian Ocean trading networks, although the discovery complements rather than independently establishes the entire trade history.

Ring Wells and the Submerged Settlement

Four terracotta ring wells were among the important discoveries. Such wells were generally constructed to access freshwater on land.

Their presence beneath the seabed may indicate the existence of an ancient palaeochannel, or former river course, that was later submerged because of coastal changes, erosion and rising sea levels.

Static GK Tip: A palaeochannel is an ancient, inactive or abandoned river channel preserved beneath later sediments.

Why Did Poompuhar Submerge

The disappearance of parts of Poompuhar has both archaeological and literary explanations. Studies have suggested that coastal flooding, erosion and tsunami-related events may have contributed to the submergence of the settlement.

Tamil literary tradition also preserves a legend connecting the city’s destruction with the failure to properly conduct Indra Vizha, a festival associated with Indra or Vendhan, the deity linked with rain and thunder.

Scholars continue to examine whether the entire ancient settlement disappeared beneath the sea or whether only portions were submerged and subsequently rebuilt.

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