TNSDA completes the primary part of underwater survey off the Poompuhar coast

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has concluded the primary part of an underwater archaeological survey off the coast of Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district.

The historical Sangam-era port metropolis was as soon as often known as Kaveripoompattinam. The survey was geared toward figuring out the potential archaeological stays submerged within the Bay of Bengal.

Underwater visibility

R. Sivanantham, Joint Director, TNSDA, stated a staff of 10 divers had carried out the survey, which started on September 20 and continued for 12 days between 10 a.m. and three p.m. “We restricted the operation to those hours as daylight is important for underwater visibility and the ocean turns tough within the night,” he stated.

The staff surveyed the seabed as much as a depth of 23 metres utilizing superior marine exploration devices, together with a remotely operated automobile, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, and multibeam scanner. These instruments helped to map the ocean flooring and detect structural anomalies, he stated.

The survey was performed with logistics assist from the native fishermen. The staff put out to sea on mechanised boats after which used smaller fibre boats to achieve survey factors. The TNSDA had performed a 10-day underwater survey at Korkai in Thoothukudi district in 2022, utilizing Sagar Tara, a coastal analysis vessel of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

TNSDA archaeologists and a four-member staff of educated divers from the Indian Maritime University took half within the survey, which was carried out off the coast between Thirumullaivasal and Neithavasal. Earlier, that they had undergone a particular coaching programme performed by a personal company. The divers and the consultants examined the seabed to determine anomalies and decide whether or not they had been pure formations or man-made stays linked to the traditional port metropolis.

‘Data being analysed’

Mr. Sivanantham stated the staff had traced a number of underwater areas recognized by veteran archaeologist S. R. Rao, who had led an analogous survey off the Poompuhar coast almost three a long time in the past. “We at the moment are analysing the information collected throughout this part. Owing to sea circumstances, the survey couldn’t be performed repeatedly alongside the complete stretch. The division is planning to hold out another part of exploration when the circumstances are beneficial,” he added.