The ancient port city of Kaveripoompattinam (present-day Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district), praised in Sangam literature, Moovendhar era accounts, and post-Sangam epics, is once again in focus through a new phase of archaeological exploration.
The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology, with the support of the Indian Maritime University, has launched underwater research at Poompuhar to uncover evidence of Tamil civilization’s maritime history and cultural antiquity.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a post on X, drew attention to the initiative by citing lines from the Sangam classic Pattinappālai. “We made the world aware of the antiquity of iron. Next, let us reveal the glory of Poompuhar – once described as a city rich and prosperous, where horses arrived by sea and elephants by land,” he wrote.
The Chief Minister further stressed the need to present Tamil heritage to the world, saying, “We must communicate the greatness of our motherland.”
Scholars note that Poompuhar, once a flourishing hub of trade and culture, is expected to yield significant insights into the maritime power of the ancient Tamils. The ongoing study is anticipated to add fresh evidence to the city’s celebrated history.
