- Agriculture was the chief occupation where rice was the most common crop.
The handicraft included weaving, metal works and carpentry, ship building and making of ornaments using beads, stones and ivory.
- These were in great demand in the internal and external trade that was at its peak during the Sangam period.
- A high expertise was attained in spinning and weaving of cotton and silk clothes. These were in great demand in the western world especially for the cotton clothes woven at Uraiyur.
- The port city of Puhar became an important place of foreign trade, as big ships entered this port containing precious goods.
- Other significant ports of commercial activity were Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and Marakkanam.
- Many gold and silver coins that were issued by the Roman Emperors like Augustus, Tiberius and Nero have been found in all parts of Tamil Nadu indicating flourishing trade.
- Major exports of the Sangam age were cotton fabrics and spices like pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and turmeric along with ivory products, pearls and precious stones.
- Major imports for the traders were horses, gold, and sweet wine.
End of Sangam Age
- The Sangam period slowly witnessed its decline towards the end of the 3rd century A.D.
- The Kalabhras occupied the Tamil country post-sangam period between 300 AD to 600 AD, whose period was called an interregnum or ‘dark age’ by earlier historians.