17 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

110 Megaliths Discovered in Kerala and Inscriptions Revealing Ancient Pilgrimage Center in Andhra Pradesh

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a significant number of megalithic structures near the Malampuzha dam in Palakkad, Kerala. The excavation revealed over 110 megaliths spread across 45 hectares of land, primarily constructed from massive granite slabs and boulders, with some structures incorporating laterite stones.

Most of the burials are of Cists variety – both single and multiple chambered-Stone Circles, Urns, Dolmens, and Dolmenoid Cists,” ASI wrote while sharing the images of the megaliths.

Among these ancient structures, dolmens are particularly noteworthy. Dolmens are a type of megalithic tomb consisting of two or more vertical stones supporting a large horizontal stone slab, often used for burial purposes. These structures provide valuable insights into the burial practices and belief systems of early societies.

Megalithic structures found in Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad, Kerala.
Credit: ASI.
Megalithic structures found in Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad, Kerala. Credit: ASI.

The ASI noted that the clustering of these megalithic burials is expected to enhance our understanding of early Iron Age society in Kerala. As researchers continue to analyze the findings, more information is anticipated to shed light on the historical significance of these structures.

Ancient Inscriptions and Rock Art in Kadapa

In a separate but equally significant discovery, ancient inscriptions have been uncovered at the Lankkamala Reserve Forest in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. The ASI’s survey revealed three rock shelters, one of which contained stunning prehistoric paintings depicting animals, geometric patterns, and human figures. These artworks, dating back to the Megalithic period and early historic periods (2500 BCE- 2nd century CE), were created using natural materials such as red ochre, kaolin, animal fat, and crushed bones.

The rock paintings date back to the Megalithic era, which is the Iron Age. Credit: ASI

The inscriptions found in Lankkamala, dating from the 4th to the 16th Century CE, suggest that the area was a major Shaivite pilgrimage center frequented by devotees from northern India. The survey, conducted in the rugged terrain of Nityapujakona, Akkadevatala Konda, and Bandigani Chella, examined nearly 30 inscriptions, revealing scripts in Brahmi, Shell, Nagari (Sanskrit), and Telugu characters.

K. Munirathnam, the leader of the survey, described these findings as a landmark discovery in the ASI’s history, emphasizing their importance in understanding the pilgrimage routes that connected various regions. He noted that the shift of the Shaivite pilgrimage center from Lankkamala to Srisailam began in the 4th Century, highlighting the evolving religious landscape of the area.

Credit: ASI

Together, these discoveries in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh not only enhance our understanding of ancient societies but also underscore the rich cultural heritage of India. As further research unfolds, these findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and traditions of the regions involved.

Cover Image Credit: Megalithic structures found in Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad, Kerala. ASI

Related Articles

A 2,000-year-old whistle was found in a child’s grave in the ruins of Assos, Turkey

18 October 2022

18 October 2022

A terracotta whistle believed to be 2,000 years old from the Roman era and placed as a gift in a...

2,050-Year-Old Assembly Building Discovered in Ancient City of Laodicea Marks Architectural First in Anatolia

2 August 2025

2 August 2025

During the 2025 excavation season, archaeologists in the ancient city of Laodicea have unearthed a 2,050-year-old Roman-era assembly building with...

Archaeologists Unearth Unique and Exceptionally Preserved Roman Wooden Water Pipe in Belgium

8 May 2025

8 May 2025

Nestled in the Flanders region of Belgium, not far from the country’s capital, Brussels, the charming city of Leuven is...

Researchers solve the mystery of Mayan 819-day calendar

24 April 2023

24 April 2023

Researchers at Tulane University in Louisiana have solved the mystery of the 819-day ancient Mesoamerican calendar used by ancient Mayans....

Ancient Eco-Tech Uncovered in Lebanon: Phoenicians Used Recycled Pottery for Hydraulic Lime Plaster 2,700 Years Ago

23 July 2025

23 July 2025

Excavations at Tell el-Burak Reveal Technological Innovation and Early Sustainable Construction in Iron Age Lebanon In a major archaeological breakthrough,...

A bronze seal matrix of St George slaying the dragon has been discovered at the royal Château of Villers-Cotterêts in northern France

21 March 2022

21 March 2022

A previously unpublished and unknown bronze seal matrix of Saint George slaying the dragon has been discovered at the royal...

A new study provides the earliest evidence of rice harvesting, dating to as early as 10,000 years ago

8 December 2022

8 December 2022

A new study of stone tools from southern China reveals the earliest evidence of rice harvesting, dating back 10,000 years....

Artvin Demirkapı/Arılı rock paintings give information about Anatolian Bronze Age Nomadic

14 December 2021

14 December 2021

Rock paintings are material cultural assets that provide us with unique information about the socio-cultural structure, religious beliefs, and rituals,...

Britain’s Largest Iron Age Gold Coin Hoard: A Possible Tribute to Julius Caesar?

16 May 2025

16 May 2025

In a stunning revelation, British authorities have recently announced the discovery of an unparalleled Iron Age coin hoard, a singular...

Gaza bulldozers unearth Roman-era a burial site

1 February 2022

1 February 2022

Bulldozers digging for an Egyptian-funded housing project in the Gaza Strip have unearthed the ruins of a tomb dating back...

New discoveries in Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe: A Human statue with a realistic facial expression found in Karahantepe

30 September 2023

30 September 2023

New finds were discovered in Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe. At around 12,000 years old, Göbekli Tepe is the world’s oldest megalithic...

One of the oldest known mosques in the world uncovered in Israel

23 June 2022

23 June 2022

A team of Israeli archaeologists has discovered what is one of the oldest known mosques in the world. Israeli archaeologists...

Ancient Waiting Bench Discovered Outside Pompeii’s Villa of the Mysteries

12 September 2025

12 September 2025

Archaeologists have uncovered an extraordinary find during the latest excavations at the Villa of the Mysteries: an ancient waiting bench...

Amarna’s Hidden Chapter: From Abandoned Pharaoh’s City to Christian Monastic Hub

26 June 2025

26 June 2025

New archaeological findings have reshaped our understanding of Amarna, the once-glorious capital of ancient Egypt founded by Pharaoh Akhenaten in...

Marble inlay floors found in a Sunken Roman villa in Baia, the Las Vegas of the ancient world

9 April 2023

9 April 2023

Expansion of research activities in the Terme del Lacus area in the sunken Baia park, known as the ‘Las Vegas’...