#Mamallapuram, the famous centre of #Pallava art, is also said to have been a sea-port right from the beginning of the Common Era!
#பெரும்பாணாற்றுப்படை
On the basis of the find of #Roman coins of #Theodosius (4th Century CE) at #Mamallapuram had contact with countries beyond the sea, particularly with #Roman Empire!
#பெரிய_திருமொழி
#திருமங்கையாழ்வார்
#கடல்_மல்லை
The epigraphical sources also say that the #Pallava kings had active contacts, cordial as well as inimical with... 1/2
These maritime activities were most probably carried on through #Mamallapuram, the notable sea-port of the #Pallavas throughout their rule...! 2/2
Fortunately a small village called #Poonjeri, seems to answer this question!
The reasons for identifying the ancient sea-port at #Poonjeri are as follows:
So the very name of the village itself indicates that it was a place, where the ships used to enter with loads of gems & big trunked elephants as mentioned by Tirumangai Alwar!
#Poonjeri is also situated in the back waters area (now known as Buckingham canal) near #Mamallapuram!
Probably the boats in the early days might have entered the land at the point where the backwater join the sea and came to #Poonjeri through the channel formed by backwaters!
Running throughout on the western side of this has been noticed a set of 3 to 4 deep-cut lines like #Grooves!
Similar type of #Grooves are also noticed running throughout the western edge of the hills at #Mamallapuram, apparently for the same purpose!
In #Poonjeri the purpose of the fortification may be to store the imported and exported cargo during the Pallava’s times!