TNSDA completes the first phase of underwater survey off the Poompuhar coast

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has concluded the first phase of an underwater archaeological survey off the coast of Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district.

The ancient Sangam-era port city was once known as Kaveripoompattinam. The survey was aimed at identifying the potential archaeological remains submerged in the Bay of Bengal.

Underwater visibility

R. Sivanantham, Joint Director, TNSDA, said a team of 10 divers had carried out the survey, which began on September 20 and continued for 12 days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. “We restricted the operation to these hours as sunlight is essential for underwater visibility and the sea turns rough in the evening,” he said.

The team surveyed the seabed up to a depth of 23 metres using advanced marine exploration instruments, including a remotely operated vehicle, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, and multibeam scanner. These tools helped to map the ocean floor and detect structural anomalies, he said.

The team surveyed the seabed up to a depth of 23 metres using advanced marine exploration instruments. These tools helped to map the ocean floor and detect structural anomalies.
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Special Arrangement

The survey was conducted with logistics support from the local fishermen. The team put out to sea on mechanised boats and then used smaller fibre boats to reach survey points. The TNSDA had conducted a 10-day underwater survey at Korkai in Thoothukudi district in 2022, using Sagar Tara, a coastal research vessel of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

TNSDA archaeologists and a four-member team of trained divers from the Indian Maritime University took part in the survey, which was carried out off the coast between Thirumullaivasal and Neithavasal. Earlier, they had undergone a special training programme conducted by a private agency. The divers and the experts examined the seabed to identify anomalies and determine whether they were natural formations or man-made remains linked to the ancient port city.

‘Data being analysed’

Mr. Sivanantham said the team had traced several underwater locations identified by veteran archaeologist S. R. Rao, who had led a similar survey off the Poompuhar coast nearly three decades ago. “We are now analysing the data collected during this phase. Owing to sea conditions, the survey could not be conducted continuously along the entire stretch. The department is planning to carry out one more phase of exploration when the conditions are favourable,” he added.