Muziris - 3,000 Year old Port City discovered in Kerala!
Tourism in Kerala, which has so far targeted sandy beaches, lush forests and panoramic backwaters, will soon showcase the glory of a 3000-year old ancient port city. Archaeologists have recovered the remnants of the port city called ‘Muziris’, considered to be one of the earliest of its kind, at Kodungallore.
Located about 27 kilometres from Cochin, Kodungallore had trade links with the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Chinese, who thronged to buy and sell a variety of spices.
When completed, the Muziris Heritage Project, which is claimed to be the first of its kind in the country, will turn Muziris into a major destination for archaeological and cultural tourism. Muziris is said to be the place where the Apostle Thomas (of ‘doubting Thomas’ fame) landed on his evangelical mission to India. Muziris is also unique for being home to India’s first Christian church (St. Thomas Church), the country’s first mosque (Cheraman Juma Masjid) and the oldest European structure in India (the Portuguese Fort).
(Pic Above: Cheraman Juma Masjid- India’s oldest mosque)
There are also two ancient Jewish synagogues. Recent and ongoing excavations by archaeologists have yielded substantial evidence including a wooden jetty, wood from which was carbon dated by scientists as being 2500 years old.
The Muziris Heritage Project aims to link all these aspects of Muziris. A series of 27 museums, spread over the heritage region will display articles pertaining to maritime trade, life style, barter system and handicrafts of the period. Five of these will be opened in 2011. Since Muziris had links with many countries, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is planning to coordinate with the tourism departments of those countries with the help of UNESCO.
Call the Kerala Travel Centre on Freephone 0808 178 9799 for more information about the Muziris Heritage project. If archaelogy and history interest you, then ask one of our experts who would be happy include a bit of both on your next holiday to Kerala.
