History

Muziris is reputed to be the ancient world’s greatest trading centre in the East. As the focal point of commerce for over 2500 years, this bustling seaport traded in everything from spices to precious stones with the Greeks, Romans and the rest of the world. It was also the doorway to India for varied cultures and races: Buddhists, Arabs, Chinese, Jews, Romans, Portuguese, Dutch and even the British.

Pattanam Excavations

There has always been a lot of confusion about the exact location of the port and for long was considered to be at Kodungalloor. However, in 1983, a large hoard of Roman coins was found at a site around six miles from a place called Pattanam. The site covers 1.5 sq. km and the core area, about 600 x 400 m. The region was first inhabited by the indigenous “Megalithic” [Iron Age] people, in the 2nd Century B.C., followed by the Romans in the 10th Century A.D.

Important finds from Pattanam include:

Important finds from Pattanam include human bones, storage jars, a gold ornament, glass beads, stone beads, a six meter long wooden canoe, objects made of stone, copper and iron, typical pottery, early Chera coins, brick wall and brick platform.

Kottapuram Excavations

The recent archaeological work done in the area has unearthed a Portuguese Fort and numerous remnants of other past cultures.

Kottapuram findings

Chinese ware, red slipped ware other pottery artifacts and iron objects.