NATURAL HERITAGE
Megalithic Monuments
The term "megalith" (mega: massive; lith: stone) is used to describe these monuments due to the use of large stone blocks in construction. Archaeological literature around the world use this term to refer to a variety of monuments. The studies point to the indigenous development of the ancient Kerala society and its culture beginning from the Paleolithic age, and its continuity through Mesolithic, Neolithic and Megalithic ages.However, foreign cultural contacts have assisted this cultural formation. Archaeological studies have identified many Mesolithic, Neolithic and Megalithic sites in Kerala.These findings can be classified as Menhirs (Pulachikallu), Hood stones (Kudakkallu), Stone circle, Sarcophagus (Savakallara), Hat stones (Toppikallu), Snake hood stones(Pathikkallu), Urn burials(Nannangadi),Cairn (Vazhiyadayaalam).
Menhirs (Nadukkallu)
Nadukkallu or menhir is a stone age monument which was later known in the names pulachikkallu, masathikkallu or veerakallu. These are single rock slabs installed atop a burial site. The nadukallu is mentioned in ancient texts ‘Purananooru,’ ‘Akananooru,’ ‘Malaipadukadam’ and ‘Tolkappiam.’The largest menhir in Kerala was recorded on the Pothamala hills in Udumbanchola taluk. Menhirsare monolithic slab usually made of granite. But themenhir in Anakkara in Palakkad district of Kerala is made of laterite.
Kudakkal
Thekudakkal(Umbrella stone) is a laterite monument which are mushroom-shaped, with an umbrella-like stone supported by stone blocks erected in a slanting position.
Stone circle
These are circles made of dressed or undressed granite and laterite stones which mark the location of a burial site. The stones are arranged in the form of single or multiple circles. These are circles made of dressed or uncut granite and laterite stones that mark the location of the burial site. The stones are arranged in single or multiple circles.
Sarcophagus (Savakallara)
A sarcophagus is a legged coffin made of terracotta. Kudakkal, pathikkal, and rock-cut caves are made of laterite. Laterite bricks are still commonly used as building material in the region and this has resulted in the destruction of megalithic monuments.Topikkal
A topikkal is known as hat stone which is a hemispherical laterite stone used as a lid of a burial urn.
Pathikkal(Snake hood)
Pathi means hood of a snake. Pathikkals are unique to the Kerala region, and are dressed blocks of laterite arranged in a way that they resemble a snake’s hood.
Nannangadi (UrnsBurrials)
Urns are pear-shaped jars usually handmade and buried inside a pit, along with burial goods. Various types of dressed capstones are often found associated with urns.
Cairn
A cairn is a pile of stones, used for monument or memorial of some kind.It is also used as large pile of stones in burial sites covered by soil and vegetation so that only the mound is visible above the ground.
Different types of iron implements have been found placed as burial goods within the megaliths. These include daggers, swords, axes, nails, sickles and agricultural implements. Another important category associated with megalithic monuments is beads. While they could have been part of ornaments, they are usually found loose, possibly because they were strung together using perishable materials.
References
Gurukkal and Varrier, ed., Cultural History of Kerala Vol. 1.
George, ‘Archaeology of Kerala (up to 1500 AD).
George and Mehta, Megaliths at Machad and Pazhayannur.
Gurukkal and Varrier, ed., Cultural History of Kerala Vol.1.
Kumar and Ambily, ‘Megalithic Remains Excavated from a Cist Burial at Niramakulam
Mehta and George, Megaliths at Machad and Pazhayannur.
Peter, ‘Dimensions of Megalithic Culture of Kerala.
Sharma, ‘Rock Cut Caves in Cochin’, 93–115; Peter, ‘Dimensions of Megalithic Culture of Kerala.
http://www.keralaculture.org/keralaasi-protected-mounments/628