A breakthrough study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has utilized a refined Lead-210 isotopic calibration technique to provide high-precision dating for submerged stone jetties and breakwaters along the Coromandel Coast. This methodology, which accounts for specific sedimentation rates and lead-isotope signatures in the Bay of Bengal, places the construction of these maritime facilities firmly in the 4th century BCE, aligning with the early Mauryan period's expansion of trade networks.
The research team, led by geochronologists from the National Institute of Oceanography, argues that this dating proves the existence of a sophisticated, state-sponsored maritime engineering program designed to manage long-distance trade with Southeast Asian kingdoms. The isotopic data suggests that these structures were not merely seasonal outposts but permanent hubs with specialized berths for deep-sea vessels.