Ancient West Asian Jar Fragment and Ring Wells Found Off Poompuhar Coast

Archaeologists have found a broken piece of a torpedo jar and four ancient ring wells during an underwater exploration off the Poompuhar coast in Mayiladuthurai district. This discovery marks the first time such a jar fragment has been found underwater in Tamil Nadu.

Discovery Details

V.P. Yathees Kumar, Joint Director in-charge at the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology, along with three other experts, found the fragment at a depth of about 10 metres. The item was located roughly two kilometres from the coast, in the sea between Poompuhar and Thirumullaivasal. The fragment is made of fine ceramic and belongs to a tubular vessel with a cylindrical body and narrow mouth, likely used to carry liquids like wine or oil by ship from West Asia during the early historic period. Experts estimate the complete jar had a diameter of 30 cm to 35 cm. More than 250 ceramic pieces were recovered during the survey across nearly two square kilometres.

Ring Wells and Survey

Along with the jar piece, the team found four ancient ring wells with diameters between 60 cm and 65 cm. Mr. Kumar stated that these wells suggest a palaeochannel may have existed at the site. The findings come from a preliminary investigation amid ongoing changes to the sea floor and coastline caused by erosion. The third phase of the survey was launched on September 6 by Minister for School Education and Archaeology Rajmohan, ran for 18 days, and concluded on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.