Report 2012 F

Early Iron Age Megalithic Memorials in Zoomorphic form were found from southern part of India
Archaeological excavations were conducted by SCSVMV University, Enathur, Kanchipuram team under the direction of Prof S. Rama Krishna Pisipaty from 15th Feb to 9th March 2012 at Vadamangalam near Chennai in Tamil Nadu on southern part of India. Hundred of Early Iron Age stone circles to protected cists chambers and dolmen were traced on an elevated area (small hillock) around 50 km away from the Chennai metro city. Completely rude big boulders (megaliths) in different shapes were arranged in perfect circle form were noticed in the area. Those structures are not simple circles, elongated extension on northwest and southeastern sides found with stone alignments. Those structures resembles different zoomorphic form like turtle, reptile, etc. which reported for the first time in the history of Early Iron Age Megalithic architecture. Further, there is no any human remains, either primary or secondary throughout the area. However, some offering (?) vases in Black-and-Red and Red ware were noticed from the memorials. Terracotta six and nine legged sarcophagi in different sizes were also unearthed from the memorials. Iron tools and weapons, beads, etc., personal belongings were also reported from the structures. The structures appeared in perfect measurements indicating that the builders were knew very well with astronomy and mathematic. Four circles have been exposed upto natural bed rock during the field season. Circle I was arranged with big boulders in 4 m diameter. Three inner circles have been formed with moderately bigger undressed stones. Red ware pot with legs in coarse fabric was noticed in completely damaged condition on northwest side. Black and Red ware, Red ware and Black ware sherds were noticed in the northwestern and eastern sides. Circle II is an interesting and an important stone circle. After removing soil, further extension circle on northwestern side and stone alignments on other sides were noticed. The central cairn was formed with 21 big boulders in 24 meters circumference. Northwestern side an oblong shaped structure formed with three big boulders encircled with another seven boulders. It looks like an head portion of an aqueous animal. Within the first circle, two terracotta six legged sarcophagi were noticed. One sarcophagus was damaged completely and broken into many pieces. The second one is also broken but intact with soil. These were placed in east - west orientation. The entire structure resembles like a turtle with stretched head and limbs. Circle III is formed around a cist, which formed with seven hematite rectangular blocks without any capstone. Two sarcophagi were found around 20 cm below the upper surface within the cist in badly damaged condition. Two Iron tools were noticed from one sarcophagus. The extensions structures with small undress stones on northwest and southeast are formed like a reptile shape. An oblong shaped head portion in north west direction and an elongated tail with a small inner circle in rear portion. Circle IV boulders were encircled to cist and dolmen. Cist formed with
seven hematite stones without capstone and dolmen cist formed with three big boulders with huge capstone. Extension on north and southern sides were also noticed with medium size to small stones like a head and tail of a reptile. Important findings Memorials resemble in different animals like turtle, reptile, etc. first time reported. It may be influence of Early Vedic fire alters. Memorial resembles like turtle form, may be the influence of Kurmaciti Vedic fire alter in the shape of turtle Perfect calculations in the construction of structure like 21 big boulders, 24 feet diameter of the centre circle, etc., indicating mathematic applications and astronomical significance Structures without any human remains another interesting point. It may be presumed that the death was occurred some remote area or social custom of the group. However, further researches are required for conclusion. Combination of two or three structures (cairn & dolmen within stone circle, etc.) new feature in the burial architecture. Iron implements, offering vases (in Black-and-Red, Red, Black ware) within sarcophagi & urns indicating the developed technological skills of the clan.

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Early Iron Age Megalithic Memorials in Zoomorphic form were found from southern part of India

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