MUZARIS
Muziris (Muchiri or Mucciri, was an ancient seaport and urban center in southwestern India on the Periyar that existed from around the beginning of the Christian era to the 1300s. Muziris has found mention in the classical Tamil Sangha literature and a number of European historical sources. In a massive flood of the Periyar in 1341 CE, Muziris was said to have been destroyed and the centre of commerce was shifted to other ports on the Malabar Coast. Soon the exact location of Muziris was forgotten; currently, it is believed to have been located close to the present day Kodungallur.
The multi-disciplinary and multi-seasonal archaeological research in the area was conducted by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) at Pattanam, a small village at North Parur. It is hypothesized that Pattanam could be an integral part of Muziris. Pattanam was the first site in the Indian Ocean to yield archaeological evidence for Mediterranean, North African, West Asian and Chinese maritime contacts. The evidence suggested that Pattanam was a commercial location exposed to long distance and regional trade, prior to Roman contact.
To reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris, the Government of Kerala has initiated the Muziris Heritage Project. Today, the region is dotted with numerous monuments of a bygone era that conjure up a vast and vivid past. The entire project is designed to involve and integrate the local community in all intended developmental initiatives.The Muziris Heritage Site (MHS) stretches across from the municipality of North Paravur in Ernakulam district to that of Kodungalloor in Thrissur district. It includes four panchayats in Ernakulam district viz. Chendamangalam, Chittatukara, Vadakekkara, Pallippuram, and three panchayats in Thrissur district viz. Eriyad, Mathilakam and Sreenarayanapuram.