Rare megalithic sites discovered in Chhattisgarh

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A recent archaeological survey has led to significant discovery of rare megalithic sites in two districts of Chhattisgarh establishing signs of prehistoric settlements in the area.

“We have found more than 200 megalithic sites in the districts of Dhamtari and Mahasamund during a megalithic survey recently. Many of them can be classified as rare megalithic sites. Monuments erected in these sites are found to be 10 ft-12 ft tall. In normal megalithic culture, monuments measuring no more than 4 ft have been recorded so far”, Atul Kumar Pradhan, the archaeologist working under Chhattisgarh government’s culture department revealed.

In archaeology, megalithic monument denotes construction involving one or several roughly hewn stone slabs of great size. It is usually of prehistoric antiquity, erected for funerary or religious purposes. Signs of megalithic culture have been found in Europe and Asia. In India, megalithic culture is traced back to Iron Age, the last phase of prehistoric period.

Two types of megalithic sites have been recorded so far- habitation sites, built for religious purposes, and burial sites, erected in memory of dead.

The latest archaeological survey in Chhattisgarh has found megalithic sites in Bisrampur, Sanoli and Dargahan in Dhamtari district and Baratia Bhata in Mahasamund district.

The exploration has yielded megalithic monuments in form of menhirs ( a tall upright stone of a kind erected in prehistoric time as a memorial or a monument), cap stones (resembling a cap hanging on a vertical structure) and cairn circle ( a huge stone encircled by stones). The menhirs are 10ft- 12 ft in height.

Antiquities such horse nails, iron implements and sickles have been recovered in the sites.
“We will soon approach the archaeological survey of India (ASI) seeking its permission for scientific excavation of the areas to bring to light the prehistoric settlements in the region”, Mr pradhan said.

While many of them are in a state of ruins, others still remain intact. Some sites have also been found to be encroached by both government and private bodies. Constructions of buildings and houses have also been found in some sites.