- Pattanam
Pattanam is a village in the Paravur taluk in the southern
India n state ofKerala . It may lie near Latitude 10.152468° by Longitude 76.207027°. Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed signs of early Roman trade and heavy commerce. It is now speculated that the city might be the lost city ofMuziris .Pattanam is a tiny hamlet in Chittattukara Panchayath, few kilometers north-west of North Paravur Town in Ernakulam District of Kerala State of India. Archaeological investigations conducted recently unearthed Roman coins, Amphora and semi-finished beads from the area. Foundation of a brick structure possibly used by artisans as their workshop is also found found there. Pattanam was obviously a very small place to contain one of the important ancient trade centers of India. Pattanam was definitely a part of Muziris Trade Center. Roman coins were also unearthed from another village, Kochal near Valluvally, on southern side of North Paravur. While Chittattukara is on the banks of one of the five branches of Periyar River, Kochal is on the banks of another branch. As per Sangam literature the trade center, Muchiri (Muziris) was on the banks of River Periyar, then known as Chulli.
References
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4970452.stm BBC report, Search for India's ancient city]
* [http://www.indianchristianity.com/html/contents.asp Pattanam Muziris Maps and Excavations]
* [http://www.indianchristianity.com/html/Books.htm Ancient Muziris Story]ia-hist-stub
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