Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology Launches Deep-Sea Search for Submerged Chola Capital, Poompuhar

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has launched a significant initiative to explore the submerged historical treasures of Poompuhar, or Kaveripoompattinam, the ancient port city and early capital of the Cholas. This effort, announced in the 2025–26 Budget by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, focuses on deep-sea excavations between Poompuhar and Nagapattinam, a 50-kilometer stretch along the Tamil Nadu coast. These excavations aim to uncover insights into Tamil Nadu’s maritime trade, cultural exchanges, and architectural heritage, particularly with Southeast Asia.

(File:Poompuhar-View-from-the-Lighthouse.jpg - Wikimedia Commons, 2015)

Poompuhar, referenced extensively in Sangam literature and ancient maritime manuscripts like the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, is believed to have been a thriving trade hub over 2,500 years ago before submerging due to tidal actions. Earlier explorations in the 1980s, led by archaeologist S.R. Rao in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), revealed submerged structures, brick formations, and ceramics dating back to the Second Century BCE. Discoveries also included a shipwreck and a megalithic structure near Tranquebar.

he Department of Archaeology and a team of the National Institute of Oceanography, led by archaeologist S.R. Rao, had conducted a survey of the ocean floor off Poompuhar in the 1980s. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives

Recent announcements highlight the government’s commitment to showcasing Tamil culture through advanced archaeological methods. The excavations will involve renowned archaeologists and cutting-edge technologies, such as side-scan sonar and magnetometers. The findings will be displayed in museums equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an Underwater Archaeological Site Museum in Poompuhar.

Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹7 crore for archaeological excavations and scientific research in the upcoming financial year. This includes advanced analyses like Ancient DNA studies, Metallurgical analysis, and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. The initiative is part of a broader effort to explore Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage, with excavations planned at other sites like Keezhadi, Pattanamarudur, and Karivalamvanthanallur.

The project also emphasizes the Chola dynasty’s maritime trade excellence, which extended to Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Roman Empire. The government’s efforts aim to establish Tamil Nadu’s historical significance on a global scale, with plans for new museums and cultural galleries to preserve and promote these findings.

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References:

1. Charan, N. S. (2025, March 26). Yet another step towards unearthing the glorious past of Poompuhar, the capital of early Cholas. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/yet-another-step-towards-unearthing-the-glorious-past-of-poompuhar-the-capital-of-early-cholas/article69372624.ece/amp/

2. ETB Sivapriyan, & ETB Sivapriyan. (2025, March 14). Tamil Nadu to launch excavations in seven new locations; to build three new museums. Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-to-launch-excavations-in-seven-new-locations-to-build-three-new-museums-3446992

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