Authors :
Dr. Midhun K.S.; Akshay Kumar K.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 11 - November
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4699xzrt
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/mwhk6t3c
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24NOV127
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Megalithic monuments are found extensively
across Kerala, offering significant insights into the ancient
societies that once thrived in the region. These
structures—comprising umbrella stones, rock-cut caves,
menhirs, dolmens, port-holed cists, and stone circles—
represent a sophisticated ritual landscape spanning
various districts. The Thrissur district, particularly near
Kunnamkulam and Kandanassery, hosts several
important prehistoric sites within a 15-kilometer radius,
such as burial caves in Kattakambal, Kandanassery, and
Kakkad, as well as the Kudakkallu Parambu at
Cheramanangad and the Ariyannur Umbrellas. This
paper introduces a newly discovered megalithic site at
Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, featuring a stone circle
or cairn circle—the first of its kind documented at this
location. The study explores the site’s geographical
setting, structural characteristics, and cultural
significance, contributing to a more comprehensive
understanding of Kerala's megalithic heritage.
Keywords :
Megalithic Monuments, Archaeological Heritage, Stone Circle, Cairn Circle, Umbrella Stone, Burial Practices.
References :
- Abhayan, G. S. “Iron Age Culture in Kerala, South India: An Appraisal.” Iron Age in South Asia, Research Group for South Asian Archaeology, Kansai University, 2018.
- Burl, A. A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. Yale University Press, 2005.
- Gurukkal, Rajan, and M. R. Raghava Varier, editors. Cultural History of Kerala, vol. 1, Department of Cultural Publications, Government of Kerala, 1999.
- Inventory of Monuments and Sites of National Importance, Thrissur Circle, vol. 7, part 3, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, 2006.
- Krishnan Nadar, G. History of Kerala. Learners’ Book House, 1951.
- Logan, William. Malabar Manual, vol. 1, Asian Educational Services, 1951.
- Peter, Jenee. “A Study of the Umbrella Stones in Kerala.” Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, vol. 3, 2015.
- Sharma, Y. D. “Age of Rock-Cut Caves in Cochin.” Ancient India, No. 12, Bulletin of the Archaeological Survey of India, 1956.
- Sreedhara Menon, A. A Survey of Kerala History. National Bookstall, 1979.
- Srinivasan and Banerjee. Ancient India, No. 9, Bulletin of the Archaeological Survey of India, 1953.
- Valsa, M. A. “Megalithic Monuments in Thrissur in Historical Perspective.” Rural South Asian Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2015.
- Varghese, Rachel A. “Archaeology and Its Public(s): Thinking Through the Archaeology-Public Relationship.” Heritage (Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology), vol. 5, 2017.
13. Varghese, Rachel A. “Megaliths of Kerala: Burial and Memorial Practices of the Iron Age” sahapedia,
Megalithic monuments are found extensively
across Kerala, offering significant insights into the ancient
societies that once thrived in the region. These
structures—comprising umbrella stones, rock-cut caves,
menhirs, dolmens, port-holed cists, and stone circles—
represent a sophisticated ritual landscape spanning
various districts. The Thrissur district, particularly near
Kunnamkulam and Kandanassery, hosts several
important prehistoric sites within a 15-kilometer radius,
such as burial caves in Kattakambal, Kandanassery, and
Kakkad, as well as the Kudakkallu Parambu at
Cheramanangad and the Ariyannur Umbrellas. This
paper introduces a newly discovered megalithic site at
Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, featuring a stone circle
or cairn circle—the first of its kind documented at this
location. The study explores the site’s geographical
setting, structural characteristics, and cultural
significance, contributing to a more comprehensive
understanding of Kerala's megalithic heritage.
Keywords :
Megalithic Monuments, Archaeological Heritage, Stone Circle, Cairn Circle, Umbrella Stone, Burial Practices.