Stalin said the exploration would shed light on the ancient civilisation that once thrived in the coastal region and remained submerged.
Published Sep 20, 2025 | 4:28 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 20, 2025 | 4:28 PM
Undersea excavation at Poompuhar. (X)
Synopsis: The deep-sea excavation started on 19 September between Poompuhar, the early Chola capital, and Nagapattinam, a medieval trade hub with maritime links to Southeast Asia. The project is being carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday, 20 September, announced the commencement of an undersea excavation at Poompuhar, following the notable discoveries at Keezhadi.
He said the exploration would shed light on the ancient civilisation that once thrived in the coastal region and remained submerged.
The deep-sea excavation started on 19 September between Poompuhar, the early Chola capital, and Nagapattinam, a medieval trade hub with maritime links to Southeast Asia. The project is being carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University.
Poompuhar, historically known as Kaviripoompattinam, is located in the present-day Mayiladuthurai district. The last undersea survey in this region was undertaken in 1991.
The Keezhadi excavations, situated on the banks of the Vaigai River near Madurai, had earlier revealed traces of an advanced urban civilisation dating back around 2,500 years to the Sangam period.
Evidence suggested Keezhadi was once a flourishing industrial and trade hub.
Drawing a parallel, the Chief Minister remarked that Poompuhar could be as ancient as Keezhadi, adding that the deep-sea efforts would reveal the “pride of the flourishing Poompuhar.”
Earlier explorations highlighted the city’s antiquity, with a 1981 underwater survey confirming brick structures, rolled pottery and pier walls, while a 2023 Bharathidasan University study revealed evidence of a submerged port city with a harbour, settlements and shipyards at depths of 50–100 metres.
The announcement of the current excavation was first made by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who also holds the Archaeology portfolio.
In a social media post, he said Tamil history was now being explored undersea, describing Poompuhar as a celebrated Sangam-era seaport, and later thanked the Chief Minister for supporting efforts to showcase ancient Tamil glory through archaeological research.
The ongoing project is being led by eminent archaeologist and writer K. Rajan, alongside R. Sivanantham, Joint Director of the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department. Divers have already begun underwater mapping and documentation of anomalies using advanced equipment, marking the start of a significant chapter in the rediscovery of Tamil heritage.
“ஆழ்கடலிலும் ஆராயப்படும் தமிழர் வரலாறு”
மூவேந்தர் காலத்திலும், சங்க இலக்கியத்திலும், சங்ககாலத்திற்கும் பின்னான காப்பியங்களிலும் சிறப்பித்துக் கூறப்படும் மிகப்பெரும் கடல் வாணிபத் துறைமுகமாக இருந்த காவிரிப்பூம்பட்டினம் என்றழைக்கப்பட்ட இன்றைய மயிலாடுதுறை மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள… pic.twitter.com/Jcc1CvlD0s
— Thangam Thenarasu-தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@TThenarasu) September 19, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Veni EN)
