Udupi: Archaeologists Unearth Menhirs of Megalithic Iron Age
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (RD)
Udupi, Nov 22: Menhirs (standing stones) marking the burial of pregnant women belonging to the Megalithic Iron-Age period have been found at Gollarakatte, on the southern slope of Chikka Tirupati Betta, near Arsikere. Due to their gigantic nature and height, they are known as ‘Anekallu’ (elephant stone), ‘Niliskal’ (standing stone), or ‘Rakkasakal’(demon stone).
Such menhirs have been found in Northern Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, but are not common in southern Karnataka.
Dr Narsimaiah and Dr Sundara had reported the presence of a few menhirs in Baise, Murumba, in Malnad region. Professor T Murugeshi found some in Buddhana Jeddu, Nitturu, and Kurkal in coastal Karnataka. Dr Hanumana Nayak located some in Garudanagiri and Banavara, while Dr S G Ramdas Reddy found them in Mandya and Mysore region.
Now, once again Professor T Murugeshi and his team have discovered a group of menhirs in Arasikere, stated a press release.
Megalithic culture was dominant in South India and is identified by its different types of burials. Stone circles, cists, dolmens, alignments, and urn burials, were quite common in southern Karnataka and elsewhere in South India. But menhirs are a type of burial distinguished by their gigantic undressed or slightly dressed stones of varying sizes. They are found in an upright position and normally range from 1m to 5m in height.
Among the Arasikere group of menhirs, the biggest is about 5m in height and the smallest is 1.5m. They are made of granite, which is locally available in Hirekal Betta. The bigger one is like a double-edged sword with a sharp tip at the end. The second one looks like a spear head. The third one is like a horseshoe. Others had fallen flat on the ground.
Dr A Sundara assigned the Karnataka Megalithic to 1000 BC and menhirs of Malnad region to 1200 BC to 1000 BC. “Arasikere group of menhirs may be safely assigned to 1000 to 800 BC,” said Prof Murugeshi.
Other members of this team are Professor Malleshappa, head of department of history, JKJ College, Arasikere, and Prashanth Shetty, SMS College, Brahmavar, Udupi.
Professor Murugeshi T, department of ancient history and archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva - 574116. Udupi. Phone:9482520933, 0820/2532808.