The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has initiated the third phase of underwater archaeological exploration off the Poompuhar coast, a site historically known as Kaveripoompattinam. This effort aims to uncover the ancient maritime trade connections of the Tamils. The project was launched by Minister for School Education and Archaeology, Rajmohan, alongside notable figures in the field, including Director of Archaeology V.P. Jayaseelan and renowned archaeologist K. Rajan.
During the launch, Rajmohan and Jayaseelan, along with a team of trained divers, conducted dives into the sea. The exploration team departed from a village near Thirumullaivasal, venturing two kilometers offshore to explore depths of up to 10 meters. Jayaseelan noted that visibility was limited underwater, presenting challenges for the team.
The underwater exploration is scheduled to last approximately 20 days, taking into account ocean current patterns and the impending northeast monsoon season. This marks the first underwater archaeological initiative at Poompuhar since the new government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay took office. Previous explorations were conducted under the previous DMK regime, utilizing advanced marine technology to map the ocean floor.
Literary references from the Sangam era, including works like Pattinappaalai, Silappadikaram, and Manimekalai, highlight Poompuhar’s significance as a bustling port city engaged in maritime trade with regions such as Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
