The Indian Council of Historical Research organised an exhibition-cum-lecture programme on “Pattanam - an Indo-Roman settlement on the Malabar Coast, Kerala”, on August 16 and 17. While the lecture was held on August 16 the exhibition will continue till August 17 at ICHR, Southern Regional Centre, Law College premises, 1, Palace Road (Mysore Bank Circle).

Pattanam is located in the delta of the river Periyar in Ernakulam district. Recent archaeological excavations at Pattanam have unearthed traces of early Roman trade and commerce. It is suggested that Pattanam could be the legendary seaport of Muziris which was an important trade centre on the Malabar Coast between 1st century BC and 5th century AD.

The Kerala Council of Historical Research conducted excavations from February to April 2007 under the direction of P J Cherian. Five trenches, covering 120 sq m area were excavated. Shards of classical classical Italian wine amphora, rouletted ware, semi-precious stone and glass beads, West Asian ceramics, Chinese pottery, Chera coins a ring-well, a wharf with a dug-out canoe and a number of brick structures of early historic period are important finds from the site.  The site seemingly was first occupied by the indigenous megalithic (Iron age) people, followed by Roman and West Asian contacts in the early historic phase, and continued to be occupied during the early medieval period. The poster exhibition present the findings of the excavation.