Underwater Archaeological Survey in Tamil Nadu

• Project Overview: The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has completed the first phase of an underwater archaeological survey off the coast of Poompuhar, known as Kaveripoompattinam during the Sangam era.

• Objective: The survey aimed to identify submerged archaeological remains in the Bay of Bengal.

• Survey Team:

  • Conducted by a 10-member team including divers and archaeologists.
  • Support from local fishermen for logistics.

• Duration: Survey was carried out over 12 days, from September 20 to October 2, 2025.

• Technology and Methods Used:

  • Depth surveyed: Up to 23 meters.
  • Instruments:
    • Remotely operated vehicle
    • Side-scan sonar
    • Sub-bottom profiler
    • Multibeam scanner.
  • These tools were utilized for mapping the ocean floor and detecting anomalies.

• Methodology: Teams operated during the day for sufficient visibility due to sunlight and rough sea conditions in the evening. Initially used mechanised boats for transport, followed by smaller fibre boats to reach specific survey points.

• Previous Research: This survey follows a 10-day underwater survey conducted in 2022 at Korkai in Thoothukudi district, which utilized Sagar Tara, a vessel from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

• Man-made vs Natural Structures: The survey focused on differentiating between natural formations and potential man-made remains associated with the ancient port city.

• Historical Context: The current survey revisits locations previously identified by renowned archaeologist S. R. Rao, who conducted a similar survey almost three decades ago.

• Next Steps: TNSDA plans to conduct a subsequent phase of exploration when sea conditions are favorable; currently analyzing the data collected from this initial phase.

This survey contributes to the understanding of Tamil Nadu's rich maritime history and the Sangam-era's cultural significance, in alignment with the preservation and promotion of archaeological heritage as stated in various frameworks governing cultural properties.