Date of Publication :27th February 2023

Abstract: Ancient ports provide insight on port strategic sites, sea trade, routes, material exchange, and current socioeconomic conditions. Many similar port towns that were along the coast disappeared or were submerged in the sea, most probably as a result of coastal erosion, sea level fluctuations, neo-tectonic activity, and other factors. The present paper deals with offshore exploration of Poompuhar, which was the famous port city of early chola periods of Tamilnadu. The report of bathymetric and sub bottom profile data is got from NIOT, Chennai and is interpreted using ArcGIS software. The main objective of marine archaeological expedition was to understand the geological features and locate submerged structures of Poompuhar. The available evidence confirms the submergence of a vast region or structures. The information gathered at poompuhar sites supports the literary evidence proving their existence as ports. The principal cause of these port cities' submergence was shoreline alterations caused by coastal erosion.

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