The excavations conducted by the Archaeologists have unearthed several interesting evidences supporting the literary evidences of Poompuhar. The first excavation was done in 1910.

A large number of ring wells were found by the Archaeological Survey of India near the seashore. The existence of various buildings was confirmed by the excavations near Champapathi Amman and Pallavaneswaram temples at Poompuhar. In Keezhaiyur, the remains of a brick building and a boat jetty were discovered. During this excavation, a water reservoir and the remains of several buildings were also found. Relics of a sixty feet Buddha vihar was found in Pallavaneswaram.

This excavation at Poompuhar also revealed a Buddha marble paadha (feet of Buddha) with holy symbols similar to those at Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. The coins used by the early Chola Karikalan period were also found out in this excavation. Moreover, an ancient Roman copper coin was recovered at Vellaiyan Iruppu. The findings contained the copper coins of Rajaraja Chola and an eighth century gold-plated copper statue of Buddha in meditation. This Buddha statue was unearthed in Melaiyur in 1927.

Recently, another excavation was conducted by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. During this excavation, they have discovered the remains of several buildings. This department in collaboration with The National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, has launched an offshore exploration of Poompuhar. It is expected to bring out the magnificence of this former international seaport of South India.