Simylla of the Periplus Maris Erythraei: Archaeological Excavation at the Ancient Port of Chaul in the West Coast of Mahàràùñra – Índia

Abstract

The article presents the results from the archaeological research undertaken by the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute team at the port of Chaul, known in the ancient accounts as one of the major trade centers on the west coast of India. Archaeological evidence recovered during exploration and excavation confirmed its existence since Mauryan e Sàtavàhana times. Roman amphorae sherds were also recovered. Three groups of Buddhist caves were explored near the archaeological site belonging to the Sàtavàhana period. Continous occupation was attested by habitational levels spanning for more than 2 thousand years, until the seventeenth century, when the ancient port lost its economic pre-eminence to Mumbai.