18-Jun-2020: Kodumanal dig throws light on megalithic burial rituals

The burial site has been unearthed at Kodumanal village in Erode district, Tamil Nadu.

The Kodumanal excavation of 10 pots and bowls, instead of the usual three or four pots, placed outside three-chambered burial cists and inside the cairn-circle, has thrown light on burial rituals and the concept of afterlife in megalithic culture.

The rectangular chambered cists, each two metres long and six metres wide, are made of stone slabs, and the entire grave is surrounded by boulders that form the circle.

Believing that the deceased person will get a new life after death, pots and bowls filled with grains were placed outside the chambers.

Previous excavations have revealed that multi-ethnic groups lived in the village, located about 500 metres away from the Noyyal river.

Earlier excavations also revealed that the site served as a trade-cum-industrial centre from 5th century BCE to 1st century BCE.

Findings unearthed so far include an animal skull, possibly of a wolf or a dog; precious stones like beryl, carnelian, quartz, jasper, beads, gold pieces and needles; copper smelting units; the mud walls of a workshop; potteries; and Tamil Brahmi script.