A new chapter in Indian archaeology is about to begin. The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology has announced that a deep-sea survey will start in the second week of September 2025. The survey will cover the stretch of sea between Nagapattinam and Poompuhar, two historic coastal towns.

This is not just another study. It is part of a larger plan to use modern technology to look for lost remains of Poompuhar (Kaveripoompattinam), an ancient Chola port city that many believe was partly swallowed by the sea centuries ago.

Why Poompuhar matters

• Poompuhar was once a busy Chola trading port, connecting India with Southeast Asia.
• Ancient Tamil literature from the Sangam period mentions this city as a center of trade, art, and culture.
• Many historians say that rising seas or natural disasters caused parts of Poompuhar to sink underwater.

Previous studies have already found stone structures and wharf-like remains offshore. This new mission is expected to give us a clearer picture of Tamil Nadu’s maritime past.

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What the survey will do

This is a Deep-Sea Nautical Survey (DNS) project. It will:

• Map the seabed between Nagapattinam and Poompuhar.
• Use side-scan sonar to detect hidden stone structures.
• Deploy ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) with cameras to take underwater photos and videos.
• Collect samples if the structures look promising.
• Create digital records and 3D models of any findings.

The survey is being done with help from agencies like the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), and the Indian Maritime University.

What the team hopes to find

• Harbour remains such as quay walls, docks, or breakwaters.
• Shipwreck clues including anchors, fasteners, and cargo materials.
• Pottery and tools that show how people lived and traded.
• Evidence of submergence that could confirm ancient stories of Poompuhar sinking.

Why this is important

1. History: Proof of Poompuhar’s lost harbour will confirm what Sangam texts and old legends say.
2. Tourism: A discovery at sea can boost museums and heritage trails in Tamil Nadu.
3. Education: It will give schools and colleges new material to teach Indian maritime history.
4. Global value: It can put Tamil Nadu on the world map for underwater archaeology.

Visiting Poompuhar today

Even before the new findings, visitors can see:

• Poompuhar Marine Archaeology Museum, which holds artefacts from earlier sea explorations.
• Nagapattinam temples and coastal sites, which show the region’s long cultural history.

Takeaway

The Deep-Sea Nautical Survey of Poompuhar is more than a scientific exercise. It is a search for India’s maritime roots. If successful, this project could tell the world that India’s connection with the sea, trade, and culture goes back much further than most people think.

This is the perfect time to watch closely, because the sea may finally give back the secrets it took centuries ago.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When does the Poompuhar underwater survey start?

It starts in the second week of September 2025.

Q2. Who is leading the survey?

The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology, with support from NIOT, NIO, and the Indian Maritime University.

Q3. What technology will be used?

Side-scan sonar, ROVs with cameras, and high-resolution mapping tools.

Q4. Why is Poompuhar important?

It was a major Chola trading port and is often described in Sangam literature. Parts of it are believed to have sunk under the sea.

Q5. Has Poompuhar been studied before?

Yes. Earlier marine archaeology missions found stone structures and harbour remains offshore.

(Featured image taken from inarchcenter.com)