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MARAYUR DOLMENS

Markazhi

March 17, 2017

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Iron age is commonly  named Megalithic age characterized by the practice of raising big stone monuments to the dead.Megalithic tradition reached Kerala around the mid -first millennium BC and  continued to prevalent till the mid first millennium AD about ten centuries.Various types of burials such as urns, cysts,stone circles,cap stones ,umbrella stones,rock cut chambers are found in this area.

 

 

 

A dolmen has one or two chambers constructed  using dressed granite slabs.Dolmens are usually found normally  in granite belts especially in high ranges.eg, dolmens in Marayur.They are found in rocky tables of plane also eg.Porkkulam in Trichur district.We call dressed granite slabs orthostats.The Marayur dolmens are characterized by the presence of orthostats and a cover slab.They are found as scattered  at some places  suggest a pattern of assemblage.

 

Marayur Dolmens

ea was considered as one of the oldest settlements with a rich heritage .Largest number of dolmens are found  at Kanthallur in addition to isolated ones on the banks of  Pambar.The Marayur dolmens are different varying in size and shape.The dolmens in this area face destruction and degeneration.  Many of the dolmens were disfigured and destroyed by antisocial elements.

Kanthallur .

The Archeological Survey of India(ASI) has confirmed that the dolmens are 5,000 years old. A copy of the findings of the ASI has been kept at the panchayat office here.

The capstones of the dolmen have fallen to the ground. The granite slabs have been removed. The overgrown bushes and grass completes the picture of neglect.

The dolmen are spread over a large area in the region once known as Anjunadu, comprising Kanthallur, Keezhanthur, Karayur, Marayoor and Kottakudi.

The majority of the dolmen were destroyed over the years.As per  ancient Monument Act and  Archeological sites and remains act 1968  those who destroy or deface historical remains are liable to one year jail term or penalty or both. It has been decided to depute two guards to protect the dolmens in Marayur  Kanthallur belt.