Have archaeologists found India’s lost port of Muziris? - BBC News

The mystery of India’s lost port of Muziris has captivated archaeologists for decades.

Once at the heart of one of the world’s most influential trading routes, and hailed by Roman author Pliney the Elder as ‘the first emporium of India’, Muziris was known for its rich selection of spices, gems, ivory and silk.

However, in the 14th Century, the port disappeared without a trace – its location seemingly wiped from the map.

Today, there is still fierce debate over Muziris’ true location, but could new archaeological evidence finally provide an answer?

#India #Archaeology #BBCNews

[sarants]

South india had direct diplomatic relations with Rome...some south Indian diplomats even visited Ceaser during his time

[LewisNuke]

Would love to visit india, a majority of the people seem very welcoming and their food and culture looks amazing

[beinghuman]

As South Indian pepper farmer it’s emotional to see this

[ΠέτροςΟικονομάκος]

This is fascinating. I remember coming across this name Muziris / Μούζιρις in Periplus Maris Erythraei (or Περίπλους Ερυθράς Θαλάσσης), which is an account of seafaring and maritime trade opportunities in the "Red Sea", meaning the whole indian ocean west of India. Written by an anonymous 1st century AD adventurer, most likely a greek-literate egyptian. Muziris was the main port on the southwest coast of India, and if I recall correctly there was also Barygaza / Βαρύγαζα on the northwest. I've been assuming Muziris would've been the ancestor of Calicut (of Niccolo de Conti, Afanasy Nikitin, Ibn Battuta and Vasco da Gama fame), while Barygaza would be somewhere in today's Gujarat. It's fascinating to see there's ongoing archaeological research on these.

[alvi-vtfx]

As a person who lives near muzris and periyar, I am proud to see our land being shown to a world audience 👏. As it says on the documentary, the entire banks of periar bleed great history.

[DoctorTalks.]

Happy to see Dr Rajan Gurukkal after a long time in media...remember watching him telling science in Doordarshan in my childhood

[amanverma]

North India earned through silk route south India earned through spice route

[amanverma]

Before arrival of British
India's gdp was 25% of the world after British left india it was just 3%

[nissarpa]

Muziris is KODUNGALLOOR ( CRANGANORE ), its an island from chettuwa to kottappuram surrounded by the sea & the river but the intesresting fact is the people living there don't realise it's an island. Yes, there was a huge flood destroying the port & changing the course of the port sites to now kochi. Remember all the early religious starting gateway were in kodungalloor be it christianity, jewish, islam, buddhist etc.

[musicfan]

Original name Muchiri, commonly anglicized as Muziris (Ancient Greek: Μουζιρίς, Old possibly identical with the medieval Muyirikode) was an ancient harbour and an urban center on the Malabar Coast.

[lunatikite]

that areal shot at the begining is so beautiful.. any other place by now would have changed to an ugly concrete Jungle but Kerala still maintains its old heritage intact.. Love you Kerala from Andhra.

[ashiqaziz]

I am from Muzris, now that it is named Kodungallur.

Its a Historically significant place. Islam first came to whole of subcontinent in Kerala to Muzris during the time of Prophet Muhammed(SAW) and the first mosque in whole of south asia is also built here, probably oldest outside Arabia. Christianity too was first introduced through Thomas the Apostle. It was an important trading route before it was destroyed by a flood in the 12 or 13th century. Love that its getting the recognition now that it deserved.

Muzris is pride of Kerala... Love my State ❤️

[toneycruz]

Kerala one of the most mysterious state because is key part of India

[Mondoblasto]

Fascinating that Pliny the Elder knew of this place; he died during the events of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the 14th century, Muziris vanished from history, and in the 16th century, Pompeii and Herculaneum were rediscovered. So yeah, it's totally possible for a bustling trade port to disappear from memory.

[rohanxdavis]

My home town 🙏🏾❤️ truly a gem of a place.
After having lived all over the world, including North America, Kochi is still my favourite.

[mrhunter]

Need a thorough and scientific research from the international level about this great ancient port. Can be traced the great past of international trade.

[issacalbertp]

Saying about pepper, there is a tower in York, UK, known as Lendal tower, which was leased in 1677 for 500 years at an annual rent of one peppercorn

[ajaykrishnan]

Wow! This BBC cut taught me about my very own history. Muziris - what a grand name!

[shiadmajeed]

Love from that very part of the world
Kodungallur “Muziris”

[minku]

Kerala -Muziris :One of the ancient Christians communities dating back to 2000 years, One of the ancient Jewish community and the oldest synagogue, One of the oldest Muslim community who have direct relationship with prophet Muhammad and the oldest mosque and on top the great Hindu Rulers who welcomed them all .The evidences are much there and the people of Kerala are the greatest proof that Muziris do exists somewhere down the ground of Kerala soil ....Afterwards came the britishers and Portuguese and they destroyed everything and looted us left and right ...