Poompuhar, situated at the confluence of river Cauvery with the sea, was a flourishing port city and the second capital of the Cholas in the Sangam period. It is situated in the Sirkazhi taluk of Nagappatinam District. The Department of Archaeology conducted excavation at Kizharveli and Dharmakulam areas.

The Kizharveli excavation revealed two brick walls, running Northeast-Southwest at a depth of 20 cm. Soft clay had been used as a binding material. These two brick walls were placed wide apart and provided with platforms, the intention being that there should be free movement of water. Four wooden poles were found, two made of the Palmyra tree trunk and the other two made of Iluppai tree trunk (Bassia Longifolia). This structure seems to have served as a wharf in the 4^thcentury CE.