Megalithic Discoveries in Kerala: Insights into Ancient India

1. Discovery Context: Ancient artefacts from the megalithic era, dated around 2,000 years old, were unearthed in Manimoola village, Kerala, during Jal Jeevan Mission excavation works in April 2025.
2. Location Specifics: The findings occurred in Bandadukka, Kasaragod district, revealing a significant historical site previously unrecognized.
3. Artefact Details: A well-preserved burial chamber was retrieved, showcasing the engineering skills of the megalithic people.
4. Unique Recovery: Migrant workers under the mission extracted the chamber intact in minutes, a task typically requiring days for skilled archaeologists.
5. Local Connection: A nearby stone structure, "Pathaya Kallu," is also identified as a megalithic monument, suggesting a broader cultural landscape.
6. Regional Parallels: Similar burial sites in the district, known as Pandava Guha, Peerangi Guha, and Muniyara, indicate a widespread megalithic tradition.
7. Historical Significance: These relics link to the Iron Age in South India, offering clues about ancient societal practices and beliefs.
8. Cultural Insight: The megalithic period reflects a transition from the Neolithic to Iron Age, marked by monumental stone structures for burials.
9. Project Impact: The Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at rural water supply, inadvertently aids archaeological discoveries, highlighting development-history intersections.
10. Research Potential: The site’s preservation and rapid recovery open avenues for studying Kerala’s prehistoric past and its role in peninsular India’s history.

Glossary

• Megalithic Era: A prehistoric period (circa 1500 BCE–200 CE in India) characterized by large stone structures, often for burial purposes.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: A government initiative to provide piped water to rural households by 2024, extended into 2025 for implementation.
• Burial Chamber: An underground structure, typically stone-lined, used for interring the dead in ancient cultures.
• Iron Age: A historical period (circa 1200 BCE–200 CE in India) marked by the use of iron tools and weapons.
• Neolithic: The late Stone Age (circa 7000–1500 BCE in India), known for early farming and settled communities.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ancient-megalithic-era-artefacts-unearthed-in-manimoola-during-jal-jeevan-mission-works/article69419310.ece