Marine Archaeological Museum, Poompuhar

Poompuhar is a town located at the mouth of the Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu, India. It served as a major port city during the Chola period.^[1] The town is situated approximately 24 km (15 mi) from the district headquarters, Mayiladuthurai, 21 km (13 mi) from Sirkazhi, 24 km (15 mi) from Tharangambadi, and 279 km (173 mi) from the state capital, Chennai. The nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai Junction, and the nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport (IATA: TRZ, ICAO: VOTR).^[2][3]

The State Archaeological Museum is located near Poompuhar Beach.^[2]

Poompuhar is extensively mentioned in Sangam literature(circa 300 BCE to 300 CE),^[4] a collection of Tamil poetic works. Texts like Silappathikaram^[5] and Manimekalai^[6] provide vivid descriptions of the city's grandeur, its bustling markets, and its cultural life.^[4] The ancient city believed to have been partially submerged in the sea. In 1981,^[7][8] the Archaeological Survey of India conducted preliminary underwater explorations in the area. An Underwater Archaeological Site Museum was inaugurated in 1997^[9] in Poompuhar to display artifacts recovered during these explorations. It is the only museum of its kind in India dedicated to underwater archaeology.^[2][10][11]

Artifacts have been recovered from both offshore and onshore explorations and excavations in the Poompuhar region. These include Roman rouletted pottery, terracotta figurines such as Buddha heads and Buddhapadam (Buddha footprint in English), large bricks, beads, Roman and Chinese pottery, stamped pottery from Alagankulam, wooden artifacts, ring wells, megalithic objects, Chinese jars, British-era cooling jars, silambu (anklet in english), lead ingots, Buddha statues, stone sculptures of Ayyanar, and ship models.^[12][2]

Visitors are allowed to this museum from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m and Friday holiday.^[2]