Two hundred acres of land have been earmarked for archaeological excavation at Pattinamarudhur village in Thoothukudi district and three trenches have been dug during the first phase since March.
Around 1,500 artefacts, including pieces of shell ornament, coins, porcelain pottery fragments and figurines, have been excavated from the site so far.
In the 2025-2026 State Budget, former finance minister Thangam Thennarsau had announced that archaeological excavation would be carried out in Pattinamarudhur. Accordingly, preparation works began in March this year, leading to digging of trenches.
A team of two officials from Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) and scholars camped near the site where several artefacts were discovered.
Work under way inside a trench at Pattanamarudur archaeological site in Thoothukudi district. | Photo Credit: N. RAJESH
An official from TNSDA said that three trenches had been dug on five acres of undisturbed land and around 1,500 artefacts such as coins, shell ornaments and pottery fragments recovered. Trenches measuring approximately 2 metres, 1.3 metres and 1 metre in depth had been excavated, with active participation of local villagers in the process. Works were under way to clear invasive vegetation across 25 acres, after which further excavation would commence in those areas.
The official also mentioned that 16 trenches had been proposed during the first phase of excavation at the site. The artefacts collected would be systematically documented and studied in detail. Efforts were also being made to engage students, with plans to bring school students from the district to the site through the School Education Department.
P. Rajesh Selvarathi, an archeology enthusiast from the region, who highlighted the potential of Pattinamarudhur site, has collected a number of artefacts over time. According to him, the Pattinamarudhur village located along the east coast of Thoothukudi district indicates the vibrant trade centre on par with Korkai.
He further suggested that the village could have witnessed successive cultural phases. Since August 2023, he has collected numerous artefacts not only from Pattinamarudhur but also from nearby villages Therku Kalmedu and Melamarudhur.
Mr. Selvarathi noted that after making multiple discoveries that indicated the site’s potential, detailed reports were submitted to the district administration. Following a drone survey and mapping exercise conducted at the Pattinamarudhur archeological site in May 2025, excavation work began this year.
Mr. Selvarathi emphasised that the site held significant potential for future discoveries.