A gemstone with a she-Sphinx and among other finds in Kerala provides linkage to ancient trade between India and the Roman Empire, through the port of Muzris.
A sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a human, a falcon, a cat, or a sheep and the body of a lion with the wings of an eagle.
Muziris was a port city located on the banks of Periyar River between the 1st century BC and 4th century AD.
It facilitated trade between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean region.
Muziris was known as Emporia of the East and flourished after the Romans conquered Egypt.
Commodities exported from Muziris included spices, semi-precious stones etc.
The decline of the Roman Empire and a flood in the Periyar River in 1341 which silted the Muziris harbour are considered to be the reasons for the decline of Muziris port.
