Submerged Poompuhar Artifacts Found
Archaeologists Discover Ancient Wells and Trade Jars Off Tamil Nadu Coast
Anonymous
Archaeologists exploring the seabed off Tamil Nadu have recovered ring-well fragments, more than 250 ceramic pieces and part of a distinctive West Asian torpedo jar near the submerged ancient port of Poompuhar. The finds offer evidence that the city extended beyond today’s shoreline and took part in long-distance maritime trade. Researchers are mapping the underwater settlement and studying how sea-level changes, shifting river channels and coastal erosion transformed it; much of the exploration remains to be completed, and the jar fragments have not yet been firmly dated.
Key Points
1
The artifacts were recovered from 10 to 12 metres underwater, roughly 1.8 to 2.2 kilometres off the present shoreline.
2
The archaeological team recovered four ring wells, with fragments measuring about 60 to 65 centimetres in diameter.
3
The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology is conducting the work with the Indian Maritime University, and officials say only about 10% of the overall exploration has been completed.
4
The new finds add to earlier underwater evidence at Poompuhar, including large stone structures, possible shipwreck remains and traces of habitation beyond the modern shoreline.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
7
Articles
3
Reach
10
A
AnonymousAuthor
