Chennai: An alumnus of Madras University’s ancient history and archaeology department has found a Megalithic burial complex with several dolmens and cist burials at Kadamakuttai village in Krishnagiri district. Though several megalithic burials have been reported in the region, this one is considered significant because the enclosing structural wall of the complex is still visible and the monuments were arranged according to a burial layout.“This burial complex is significant and provides important evidence for understanding funerary practices, ritual behaviour during the Megalithic period in northern Tamil Nadu,” said Sudharshan R, a former student of the department of ancient history and archaeology, University of Madras and project associate at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Puducherry.During the exploration around the site, he found a large number of Neolithic artefacts, including extensive polished stone celts, soapstone objects, grinding stones, and other lithic implements.“These finds provide evidence for Neolithic occupation. A massive natural boulder bearing three Neolithic polishing grooves was found near the burial complex. It indicates stone-tool finishing and processing activities. Kadamakuttai could have been an important Neolithic archaeological site,” he added.Apart from the main Megalithic burial complex, another isolated dolmen was documented outside the enclosure. Archaeological materials include clay figurines (clay dolls), additional polished celts, rubbing stones associated with ritual worship, and fragments of urn burials scattered across the surface.Kadamakuttai preserves an extensive cultural sequence extending from the Neolithic period to the present day.“Krishnagiri district is known for megalithic burials. There are more than 200 documented burial sites in the district. This burial complex has dolmens,” said archaeologist K Rajan, a retired professor from Pondicherry University.Earlier, post-graduate students from University of Madras found rock art depicting elephant migration in the same village and claimed that it was evidence that elephant migration has been happening in the area for the last 2000 years. The village also has a living rock art tradition as well. Researchers say that Kadamakuttai village is one of the promising regions for ethnoarchaeological research in South India to understand the relationship between prehistoric archaeology and surviving traditions.
