A joint team of marine archaeologists has discovered the submerged remains of a Mauryan-era port facility in the Sunderbans. Using side-scan sonar, the team identified a massive 50-meter-long stone jetty and the brick foundations of what appear to be trade warehouses, dated to approximately 250 BCE.
The find proves that the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka had established sophisticated maritime outlets in the Bay of Bengal for trade with Southeast Asia. Artifacts recovered include Northern Black Polished Ware and terracotta seals, indicating a thriving international commercial hub.