Marine archaeologists using high-resolution sonar and autonomous underwater vehicles have discovered extensive submerged structures off the coast of Poompuhar, confirming the existence of a legendary Chola-era port. The find includes massive stone wharves, brick platforms, and dense ceramic deposits that indicate a bustling maritime hub active between the 1st century BCE and 500 CE.
Research suggests that this estuarine harbor was a primary gateway for Indo-Roman trade, facilitating the exchange of spices, gems, and textiles for Mediterranean gold and wine. The discovery provides the most concrete physical evidence to date of the ancient city mentioned in Sangam literature, rewriting our understanding of early South Indian naval engineering and urban planning along the Coromandel Coast.