Underwater archaeological survey begins off Poompuhar coast after more than two decades

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 ancient port city once known as Kaveripoompattinam, in Mayiladuthurai district. The last such underwater survey in Poompuhar was in the 1990s.

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

Following this, the explorations began on Friday, led by a team of experts including K. Rajan, an eminent archaeologist, and R. Sivanantham, Joint Director of the TNSDA. A couple of divers entered the sea to map and document anomalies using advanced equipment.

“We have just started at Poompuhar. It will take about 10 more days, as this is the right season for exploration on the east coast. The survey involves the use of side-scan sonar, echo sounders, underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV), and sub-bottom profilers. The results of the survey will be available only after collating and interpreting the relevant data collected,” Mr. Sivanantham told The Hindu.

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

According to him, this initiative exemplifies the DMK government’s commitment under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to uncover the antiquity of the Tamils and present the State’s heritage to the world.