Tamilnadu is famous for a number of Ports on the Eastern seacoast. The Ports of Sopatanam, Kaverippumpattinam, Tranquebar, Karaikkal, Periyappattinam and Kanyakumari are mentioned in the chronicles of foreign travellers as well as in Sangam literature. Poompuhar (Kaveripoompattinam) is said to have submerged under sea. Hence, the Archaeology Department conducted a preliminary exploration in 1981. An exclusive Underwater Archaeological Site Museum was established at Poompuhar to exhibit the antiquities recovered from under water exploration. This is the only such kind of Museum in India.The Museum, located at 24 Km from Mayiladuthurai, in the Sirgazhi Taluk, Nagapattinam District was inaugurated in the year 1997.

Antiquities recovered both from off-shore and onshore exploration and excavation.
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Roman rouletted sherd, Head of Buddha (Terracotta), Buddhapadam (Terracotta), Big size bricks, Beads, Roman, Chinese potteries, Stamped potteries from Alagankulam Excavation, Wooden artifacts, Ring well, Megalithic appendages, Chinese jar, British cooling jar, Silambu, Terracotta figurines, Lead Ingots and Buddha statue off Poompuhar, Stone sculpture of Ayyanar and Models of ship.