Underwater archaeological survey begins off Poompuhar coast after greater than twenty years

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA), in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University, on Friday launched underwater archaeological explorations off the coast of Poompuhar, the traditional port metropolis as soon as often known as Kaveripoompattinam, in Mayiladuthurai district. The final such underwater survey in Poompuhar was within the Nineties.

Presenting the Tamil Nadu Budget for 2025-26, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who additionally holds the Archaeology portfolio, had introduced plans for deep-sea excavations between Poompuhar, the early Chola capital and a thriving port metropolis, and Nagapattinam, a medieval commerce hub with maritime hyperlinks to Southeast Asia.

Following this, the explorations started on Friday, led by a staff of specialists together with Okay. Rajan, an eminent archaeologist, and R. Sivanantham, Joint Director of the TNSDA. A few divers entered the ocean to map and doc anomalies utilizing superior tools.

“We have simply began at Poompuhar. It will take about 10 extra days, as that is the fitting season for exploration on the east coast. The survey includes the usage of side-scan sonar, echo sounders, underwater remotely operated autos (ROV), and sub-bottom profilers. The outcomes of the survey might be out there solely after collating and decoding the related knowledge collected,” Mr. Sivanantham informed The Hindu.

Announcing the launch of the survey, Mr. Thennarasu posted on X, “The historical past of Tamils will now be explored even beneath the ocean. At Poompuhar, celebrated in Sangam and post-Sangam literature as a flourishing seaport of nice renown, archaeological explorations have begun to rediscover and examine the antiquity of historic Tamil civilisation.”

According to him, this initiative exemplifies the DMK authorities’s dedication beneath the management of Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin to uncover the antiquity of the Tamils and current the State’s heritage to the world.