text: History Cheras, one of the three kingdoms of the Sangam period (3rd century BC to 3rd century CE), ruled over the region with their capital at Vanchi-Karuvoor. Historians are divided on the exact location of the Chera capital that might correspond to either the present day Karur in Tamil Nadu or Kodungalur in Kerala. Karur, which was known as Karuvur, was part of the Kongu Nadu region in the ancient Tamilakam and is one of the oldest inhabited towns in the state. Archaeological excavations from Kodumanal further down the Noyyal River show traces of civilization from 4th century BCE.
  Archeological evidence points to Karur being a centre of trade during the Chera period. The Tamil epic Silapathikaram mentions that the Chera king Senguttuvan ruling from Karuvur. The archaeological excavations undertaken in Karur have yielded pottery, bricks, mud-toys,  Roman Amphorae, Rasset coated ware, rings and coins belonging to various eras. Karur might have been the center for old jewellery-making and gem setting, as seen from various excavations. In 150 CE, Greek scholar Ptolemy mentioned "Korevora" as an inland trading center in South India. The region was part of an ancient Roman trade route that extended from Muziris in the west coast to Arikamedu along the east coast of India. Early Tamil Brahmi writings have been found on coins, seals and rings obtained from Amaravati River bed near Karur.