Megalithic Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Burzahom

• Location: Northeast of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on the floodplains of the Jhelum River. 
• Cultural Sequence: First Neolithic site in Kashmir, followed by a Megalithic culture. 
• Distinct Features: Unlike other Neolithic cultures, the people here were not familiar with agriculture and relied on hunting and fishing for their economy. 
• Settlement Patterns: Around 2700 BC, people lived in mud-plastered circular and oval pits with steps and ladders for access. Later, they transitioned to ground-level houses. 

Tools: Extensive use of well-polished bone and stone tools. 

• Bone Tools: Harpoons, needles, arrowheads, and other bone tools were commonly found. 
• Burials: Human and animal burials were practiced. 
• Human Burials: Primarily and secondarily in pits, often dug into house floors. Secondary burials preferred skulls and long bones. 
• Animal Burials: Pet animals, such as dogs, were buried with their owners. 
• Dwelling and Storage Pits: Evidence of dwelling and storage pits found. 

Pottery:

• Early Pottery: Crude and handmade. 
• Later Pottery: Wheel-made. 

Agriculture: Evidence of cultivated wheat, barley, and lentils found. 

Kakoria

Varanasi district, located near the Hatania hills in Uttar Pradesh, India, is an archaeological site that dates back to the pre-Iron Age period. 

• Pottery: Evidence from the site includes fired red pottery and black and red pottery, indicating the advanced pottery-making skills of the people during this period. 
• Megaliths: The site features megalithic structures such as cist circles and cairn circles. These structures were created by digging a pit and placing stones in a specific arrangement. 
• Grave Goods: Items found in graves include pottery, beads, and microliths. These grave goods provide insight into the burial practices and the material culture of the people at that time. 

Banimilia-Banhera

• Belongs to the Pre-Iron Age. 
• Pottery includes: 
• III fired dull red ware and BRW. 
• Over fired red ware. 
• Megaliths not found with any pit. 
• Cairn circle and Cairn chamber discovered. 
• Only pottery found as grave goods. 

Kotia

Location: Right bank of the Belan River, Allahabad. 
Period: Around 400 BC. 
Pottery: Found pottery includes Black Red Ware (BRW), red ware, and dull grey ware, all of thick fabric. 
Megaliths:Various types of megaliths found, including: 

• Unicameral and multicameral cists
• Cairn cists
• Cairn circles

Domesticated Animals: Remains of domesticated animals were found at the Kotia megaliths, indicating animal husbandry practices. 

Kuntitoli

• Excavation revealed a pit within a larger pit, containing grave goods such as pottery and personal ornaments.
• The entire pit was filled with earth and covered with a capstone.
• Pottery found was of plain red ware.

Nartiang

• Megaliths- Menhirs and Dolmens
• Very large monoliths of 8 m in height found. 
• Largest table stones are found. 

Naikund

• Type: Both habitation and burial site. 
• Burial Method: Megalith - Stone circle burials. 
• Crops Found: Barley, rice, lentil. Indicates agricultural settlement. 
• Tools Found: Iron hoes, suggesting local smelting of iron. 
• Artifacts: Iron and copper artifacts discovered. 

Junapani & Takalghat

• The site is from the Megalithic and early Iron Age period. 
• There are about 300 stone circles found in this area. 
• Various iron objects have been discovered, including rings, chisels, horse bits, and flat axes. 
• Black Red Ware (BRW) pottery has been found at the site. 
• The site was a centre for bead making. 
• Burial sites are marked by cairns, and there is no evidence of cremation; the dead were buried. 
• Cup marked stones arranged in a circle are believed to have astronomical significance. 
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the site a National Important Monument. 
• Grave goods found include red pottery, some of which have graffiti. 

Dhanora

• In Durg district, Chhattisgarh, ancient burial sites have been found containing menhirs, capstones, and cairn circles. 
• Interestingly, no skeletons were present at these sites, indicating that cremation might have been the method used for disposing of the remains. 

Adichanallur

• Location: Tuticorin District, Tamil Nadu, on the right bank of the Tambraparani River. 
• Burial Practices: Known for urn burials without any megalithic features. A 3-tier burial system has been discovered. 
• Artifacts Found: Bronze and iron objects, potsherds, and pottery with graffiti. 
• Skeletal Remains: Found inside urns in a crouched position. There are also examples of double burials. 
• Pottery Types: Black and red ware, along with black- and red-slipped ware. 
• Iron Implements: Includes arrowheads, spearheads, and axes. 
• Copper Ornaments: Found among the artifacts. 
• Industrial Activities: Evidence of a potter’s kiln and rice husk and cloth impressions on an iron sword. 
• Inscriptions: Sherds with writing in early Tamil Brahmi script have been found. 

Amaravati (ancient Dhanyakataka)

• Archaeological Significance: Sites from the Meghalithic period, Black Red Ware (BRW), and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) have been discovered.
• Historical Inscriptions: An inscription in Maurya Brahmi script was found, indicating the region's historical importance.
• Dhanyakataka: This site was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty, showcasing its historical significance.
• Ancient Buddhist Stupas: The region is home to Buddhist stupas and Mahachaityas adorned with sculptures made from marble and limestone. These sculptures depict stories from the life of Buddha.
• Hiuen Tsang's Visit: The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited this region in the 7th century, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.
• Ancient School of Arts: An ancient school of arts flourished in the region for nearly six centuries, starting from 200-100 BC. It was initially patronized by the Satavahanas and later by the Ikshvakus. Some Buddhist sculptures from this period show Greco-Roman influence.

Nagarjunakonda

• Neolithic and Megalithic culture: Evidence of ancient cultures, including post holes.
• Vijaypuri: This site was the capital of the Ikshvaku kings.
• Archaeological findings: An extended skeleton of a female adorned with gold and silver ornaments was discovered.

Buddhist site:

• Centre of Buddhism: The site is associated with Buddhism and is named after Nagarjuna, a famous Buddhist philosopher.
• Structures found: Maha Stupa, Chaitya, Vihara, and other Buddhist structures have been uncovered.
• Inscriptions: Inscriptions indicate that both royal (by the queen of Ikshvaku) and non-royal sponsors were involved in the construction of temples and monasteries.
• Inhabitants: The site was populated by merchants and artisans who were organized in guilds.

Maski

• Evidence of Neolithic-Chalcolithic and Megalithic cultures.
• Discovery of the Minor Rock Edict by Emperor Ashoka, marking the first instance of his name in an edict.
• Artefacts include polished stone tools, microlithic blades, a copper rod, and various beads made of materials like carnelian, agate, chalcedony, shell, coral, glass, and paste.
• Pottery findings include red ware, black-and-red ware (BRW), and some pottery with incised designs.
• Animal bones and rock paintings also found at the site.
• Subsistence activities included agriculture, animal domestication, and hunting.
• Menhirs, used for commemorative purposes, have been discovered in the area.

Hire Benakal:

• Located very close to Maski. 

Palavoy

• Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh

Veerapuram

• Pottery from the Black and Red Ware (BRW) tradition, along with iron objects such as sickles, rings, and knives, were discovered.
• Beads of various sizes were also found.
• Crops cultivated during this period included barley, rice, horse gram, and black gram.
• The period dates back to 1000 B.C. to 300 B.C..
• Cist burials were practiced.

Brahmagiri

• Neolithic-Chalolithic and Megalithic site.
• Wattle-and daub huts with post holes.
• Polished stone tools, Microlithic blades, and Handmade grey pottery.
• Copper–bronze objects in later period.
• Burials: Extended burials of adults urn burials of children.
• Megalithic monuments have been found.
• Agriculture and domestication of animals.
• Draft animals used.
• Ashokan edicts denote the southernmost extent of the Mauryan Empire.

Hallur

• Neolithic-Chalcolithic and Megalithic Site: Evidence of early human settlements during the Neolithic-Chalcolithic and Megalithic periods has been found.
• Earliest Use of Iron: Sites like Piklihal and Hallur show the early use of iron in South India.
• Tools:Various tools have been discovered, including:
  • Polished stone tools
  • Microlith blades
  • Chalcolithic blade tools
  • Copper axes
  • Fish hooks
• Ornaments: Ornaments made of carnelian, ceramic, and gold have been found, indicating advanced craftsmanship.
• Transition to Iron Age: Marked by the presence of megaliths and iron implements.
• Ash-Mounds: These suggest past human activities, possibly related to livestock or cooking.
• Burial Practices: Evidence of double urn burials, a practice from the Iron Age.
• Agriculture: Crops like millet, horse gram, and green gram were cultivated.
• Pottery:Different phases of pottery have been identified:
  • Early phase: Handmade and grey ware
  • Later phase: Wheel-made and Black Red Ware (BRW)
• Herding: Evidence of herding cattle, sheep, and goats. Animal bones of cattle, sheep, goats, and horses have been found.
• Habitation: Remains of circular floors made of stone chips and river sand, wattle and daub huts, and post holes have been discovered. One house with a circular fireplace containing ash and charcoal has also been found.

Jadigenahalli

• Bangalore Rural district in Karnataka

Paiyampalli

In Vellore district, Tamil Nadu.Neolithic & Megalithic Settlements:

• The site shows evidence of both Neolithic and Megalithic habitation.
• It was used for living and burial purposes.
• There is a lack of bone tools found at the site.
• Huts were discovered with floors made of stone chips and plastered over.

Agriculture:

• Evidence of agriculture includes cereals and pulses.
• Charred grains of horse gram and green gram were found.

Megalithic Pottery:

• Pottery from the site includes thin, coarse red ware that is painted.
• Other types found include Black Red Ware (BRW), all black ware, and red ware.

Metallurgy:

• Evidence of smelted iron indicates metalworking at the site.
• Tools and weapons were produced locally.

T. Narsipur

Sanur

Chingleput District, Tamil Nadu:
(i) Artefacts Found:

• Circular disks with central holes
• Beads made of iron
• Horse bits
• Pottery mainly consisting of Black and Red Ware (BRW)

(ii) Megaliths:

• Animal bones found alongside human remains in megalithic sites
• Prominent megalithic structures include stone circles and dolmenised cists
• Iron bar-bits discovered

Pazhayannur (Porkulam)

• In Thrissur district, Kerala.

Sittanavasal

1. In the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, there are ancient sites from the Meghalithic period and Jain caves.
2. Types of Burials Found: Stone circles, Cist burials, Urn burials.
3. Artifacts Discovered: Pottery, Glass manufacturing site, Iron objects.
4. Sittanavasal Cave: This cave is known for its Jain paintings and sculptures.
5. Temple-Cave: Dating back to the Pallava King Mahendravarman I (580–630 AD).
6. Painting Techniques Used: Mural painting, Fresco-secco technique.
7. Subjects Depicted in the Paintings: Lotus pond with flowers, People collecting lotuses, Dancing figures, Animals like fish, buffaloes, and elephants.

Mangadu

• Megalithic refers to large stone structures built during the Megalithic period, which is characterized by the use of large stones for burial and commemorative purposes.
• These sites are significant as they provide insight into the burial practices, social structures, and cultural beliefs of the people during that era.
• The Megalithic period in India is believed to have started around 3000 BCE and continued until about 1000 BCE, although some sites may have been used later.
• Megalithic sites are found in various parts of Kerala, indicating the widespread practice of this tradition across the region.
• The structures found at these sites include stone circles, dolmens, and menhirs, each serving different purposes and reflecting the architectural skills of the time.

Porkalam

• Megaliths: These include funerary rock-cut caves featuring a central pillar and menhirs (standing stones).
• Excavated Items: Human remains, decorated pearls, iron tools, and earthen pots have been uncovered in this area.