5. Tamil Nadu Mahabalipuram
There exists a popular belief in south India that the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is the last of a series of seven temples, six of which have been submerged. NIO team and members of the Scientific Exploration Society, U.K., explored Mahabalipuram. The archaeologists, professional divers and photographers carried out underwater explorations during April 2002 and recorded evidence of ruins off Mahabalipuram.
These investigations were carried out at 5 locations in 5 to 8 m water depths, 500 to 700 m off the shore temple. Investigations at each location have shown the presence of construction stone masonry, remains of walls, a big square rock cut, scattered square rectangular stone blocks and geological formations of the rocks that occur locally. Most of the structures are damaged and scattered in a vast area, providing substratum for barnacles, mussels and other sedentary organisms. The construction pattern and area is about 100x50 m. The actual area covered by ruins may be much larger. These are dated to 1500-1200 years BP. The Pallava dynasty, ruling the area during the period, had constructed many such rock cut and structural temples in Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. A very initial time frame for the ruins is the same as those of the temples in the vicinity. Local belief also supports this observation. SES, UK & NIO team on Cattamaran
The problem from various angles such as palaeo-shoreline and geology in addition to the archaeological aspects should be studied. Investigations are underway to determine the role of sea level fluctuations, coastal erosion and neo-tectonic activities in effecting shoreline changes in the area during the recent past. The site has great potential for further exploration. The lay-out plan of the structures is being determined as well as the reasons for its submergence.
The findings are significant from the point of view that while earlier there was merely folklore, there now exists "prima facie" evidence, though a lot more remains to be done. If archaeological evidence proves these to be temple ruins and not natural phenomena. We still need to understand the cause of submergence of the structures and ensure that these are consistent with palaeo-oceanographic understanding of the area.
Offshore explorations opposite to mouth of river Kaveri brought to light stone structures. By airlift operation, a large number of sherds of pottery belonging to 4th-5th century AD were recovered. Similarly, in the north of Poompuhar a lot of pottery of historical period was found. These evidences indicate that a part of ancient city was submerged in the sea; the remains are lying at about 8 m water depth. A mid-17th century map of Tranquebar shows a complete plan of the town along with the then shoreline. A careful study of the map suggests that Tranquebar town was well protected by a seaward fort wall and the Siva temple was sufficiently landward within the fort wall. It is estimated that during the 17th century AD the shoreline was at least 50 m away from the fort wall and a temple was located around 250-300 m from the shoreline. This observation unequivocally suggests that the shoreline has transgressed about 300 m in the last 300 years infringing at an average rate of one meter per year. If the same trend had continued for the last 2000 years, it might be expected that the ancient city of Poompuhar must have been submerged in 5 to 10 m water depths off Poompuhar.
