Ancient Ports In Coramandel Coast

                Ancient Ports In Coramandel Coast

There were many historically important ports on the Chola coast in Tamil Nadu. Trade goods from countries like Greece, Rome, and Egypt arrived and landed here in these ports. Similarly, it can be known through archaeological and literary evidence that many goods were exported from here. 

The important port on this Chola coast is Mamallapuram. It was not only the artistic city of the Pallavas but also a commercial city. It was called "Neer Peeru" in Sangam literature. In addition to the big ports, there were also small ports.

1) Marakkanam

2) Eilpattinam

3) Arikamedu

4) Cauvery Poompattinam

5) Vasavasamudram

Vasuvasamuthram

A Coastal village near Ancient Historical and also sub port City of Mamallapuram. which was ruled under the Pallavas from 7th Century AD and Vijayanagara period to 15th Century AD. This village was in Amoor Kottam. this village located only few kilo meter from mahabalipuram.

Vasusamuthram was Habitation cum trade center of Ancient Period.

three cultures were identified in vasuvasamuthram

1) Sangam Period

2) Pallava Period

3) Vijaya Nagara Period.

Findings

1) Ring wells

2) Amphora 

3) Conical Vessels

4) Local Ware

5) Red Slipped Ware

6) Red Ware

Beads

1) Quartz

2) Agate

3) Soap Stone

4) Glass

5) Terracotta

it may be contemporary trade center of Arikamedu

Marakanam

During the Sangam period, Thondai was an important port city of the country. Its period begins from 300 BC. It is mentioned as Sopatma or Soo-Patna in the Greek book Periplus. The inscriptions of Raja Rasa I in the Bhumiswarar temple here mention that there was a salt mine called "Rasa Rasa Peralam" in Marakanam. During the reign of Raja Raja- I, 

it was given as "Pattina Natu Manakanam". Various pottery, especially arritine ware, Rouletted ware and porcelain ware, have been found in the excavations held here.

Eyil Pattinam

The port city of Ail is located in the Oima Nadu. Oima Nadu was under the rule of Nalliya Kodan during the Sangam period. Akil trees were an important export item.

Arikamedu

The excavations conducted in two parts (north and south) have revealed the period of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. A 150-foot long wall has been found in the northern part. This may have been a trade route. Dyeing vats have been found in the southern part. 

This city may have been a bead-making factory. Antiquities such as amphorae, Roman lamps, and Polished ware have been found. Scratch marks have been found on the pottery found here. The excavation was carried out by Mortimer Wheeler in 1945.

Kaviripoompattinam

About 2500 years ago, there was a trading city like Chennai. That was Kaveriphoompattinam. Archaeological evidence has been found of trade with various countries here. There were various shops in the Kaveri Poompattinam. Merchants from many countries also lived here. The word "Abi Magado" has been found in the pottery found in the excavations here. This means the prince of Magadha.

1) Magadha native

2) Maratha goldsmith

3) Avanti blacksmith

4) Greek carpenter

Keezhayur Ship wharf

This village is part of the Kavery Poompattinam. Brick constructions have been found on cultivated land. This is a dock used for mooring ships and boats. It is laid out from north to south-east. Its period is 3rd century BC. Its maximum height is 1.71. meters. It was built with a mixture of bricks, lime and sand.

Conclusion

Archaeological evidence suggests that the villages of the Chola region, from Chennai to Nagapattinam, were a major trading post in ancient times. More research needs to be done on the coastal areas of the Chola region.