Panaiyur village near Tharuvaikulam in Thoothukudi district has surprised experts with a stunning find. While preparing farmland, locals uncovered marine fossils and sea shells. These remains hint that the area was once part of the coastline. Experts say this suggests ancient sea boundaries reached far inland. Rajesh Selvarathi, an archaeology enthusiast, said, "The sea shells found near Panaiyur village, close to Tharuvaikulam, could indicate that this region was once part of a coastal belt." The discovery may connect Panaiyur to the famous ancient port of Korkai, known for its pearl trade during the Pandyan period. Korkai was a key hub for pearls from the Gulf of Mannar, attracting traders from across the world. Historians say pearls were highly valued and widely traded. Vedic texts describe royal chariots adorned with pearls, and Romans reportedly paid huge sums for them. The pearl industry was not just business but part of culture and ritual. Marine fossils in Panaiyur reveal a changing coastline that may reshape how experts see Thoothukudi’s history. The land that looks inland today may once have been underwater, connected to Korkai’s maritime activities. Experts caution that more research is needed to confirm these ideas, but the initial findings excite archaeologists. The fossils suggest thriving trade networks, shifting environments, and rich maritime life during the ancient Sangam age. Locals are amazed to learn their farmlands might have been a seabed thousands of years ago. Archaeologists hope for more digs to uncover more secrets. For now, the soil beneath Panaiyur quietly holds a story of seas, pearls, and ancient trade waiting to be told.