The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology will begin underwater archaeological explorations in the second week of September off the coast between Poompuhar and Nagapattinam, the flourishing port cities of the ancient and medieval periods. The study is aimed at investigating submerged remains and bringing out Tamil Nadu’s maritime past.
Presenting the Tamil Nadu Budget for 2025-26, Minister for Finance Thangam Thennarasu, who also holds the portfolio of Archaeology, had announced archaeological excavations, including deep-sea excavations between Poompuhar, also known as Kaveripoompattinam — the capital of early Cholas — and Nagapattinam, a prominent medieval trade hub with links to Southeast Asia.
