Tamil links to West Asia: What underwater excavations in Chola capital reveal

Underwater excavations near the ancient Chola port city of Poompuhar, located off the Tamil Nadu coast, have uncovered new evidence of the settlement's maritime connections. The 18-day exploration, carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) and the Indian Maritime University, recovered a fragment of a West Asian "torpedo jar," four terracotta ring wells, and over 250 ceramic fragments.

Poompuhar, situated at the mouth of the 800-km-long Cauvery River, is believed to have been the capital of the early Cholas and a bustling trade hub during the Chola period. The fine ceramic jar found is approximately 30-35 cm in diameter and provides proof of Poompuhar's trade links with West Asia and the Mediterranean world. The discovery of ring wells and other structures suggests the ancient city extended beyond the current shoreline.