Understanding Megaliths of Pennagaram Taluk, Dharmapuri District

Abstract

Since the discovery of Megalithic burial by Babington in 1823 in Kerala, hundreds of Megalithic burials were explored and excavated all over India. In the northern part of Tamil Nadu, the Middle Cauvery Basin is very rich in archaeological vestiges dating from various periods. Burial with the superstructure in the form of Cairn-Circle or Dolmen was a common feature dating from Iron Age to the Historical period and are collectively referred to as Megalithic Burial in India. To understand the spatial pattern and the effect of geography and geology of an area on the Megalithic burial practice, the taluk of Pennagaram was selected. This article is mainly related to the finding from 10 newly discovered Megalithic burial sites from Pennagaram taluk, which forms part of the Middle Cauvery Basin. In this article, with the help of Google map and Geological map an understating of the spatial pattern and why Megalithic builders of this region selected the place where the present burials are noticed.