Daily Current Affairs : 21-August-2023
The southern state of Kerala, known for its lush landscapes and vibrant culture, holds secrets buried beneath its verdant soil that unravel the enigmatic megalithic period. Recently, a remarkable discovery at Nagaparamba in Kuttippuram village, near Tirunavaya, has stirred excitement among archaeologists and history enthusiasts. This discovery revolves around the fascinating megalithic ‘hat stones’ or ‘Thoppikkallu’ in Malayalam, a name that resonates through time, shedding light on an ancient chapter of human history.
The Enigmatic Hat Stones
Hemispherical Guardians of the Past
Hat stones, also known as Thoppikkallu in the local tongue, are unique hemispherical laterite stones. These stones, more than mere geological formations, played a crucial role during the megalithic period. They served as protective lids, sealing the mysteries of burial urns. The Nagaparamba find is exceptional, boasting possibly the largest collection of hat stones on an unprotected site in Kerala.
Unlocking the Past
Earthen Urns and Iron Implements: Clues to an Ancient Culture
The excavation at Nagaparamba extends far beyond the hat stones. A dedicated team of archaeologists has unearthed an assortment of treasures from the megalithic era. These include earthen urns and iron implements, each holding a unique feature. These discoveries have the potential to provide valuable insights into the lives and cultures of people who inhabited this region over 2,000 years ago.
Megaliths: Guardians of Time
Understanding the Megalithic Period
Before delving into the specifics of the Nagaparamba discovery, it’s imperative to comprehend the significance of megaliths. The term ‘megalith’ itself refers to large stones that are emblematic of the megalithic period, a span that stretched from 2500 BC to AD 200. Megaliths were employed to construct prehistoric structures and monuments, whether in isolation or in conjunction with other stones. These monuments served primarily as burial sites or non-sepulchral commemorative memorials.
Megalithic Marvels in Kerala
Traces of the Iron Age
In Kerala, the megalithic monuments are considered vestiges of the Iron Age. Among the remnants discovered are various clay utensils, pots, clay plates, small containers known as ‘cheppus,’ and an array of iron weapons such as swords, knives, tridents, nails, and fishing hooks. These items provide intriguing glimpses into the daily lives and customs of our ancient ancestors.
Diverse Burial Styles
Unearthing Burial Practices
The megalithic burial sites in Kerala come in various forms, each telling a unique story. These include:
- Hood Stones (Kudakkallu): Upright stones marking burial sites.
- Hat Stones (Thoppikkallu): Hemispherical lids guarding urns.
- Muthumakkathazhi (Nannangadi): Intriguing structures with hidden narratives.
- Muniyara: Stone circles hinting at ancient rituals.
- Pandavakuzhi: Mysterious sites shrouded in history.
- Kalmesha: Capstones guarding clay pots.
- Kalvrithangal: Stone circles where nature takes its course.
- Nadukallu: Witness to ancient rites.
Within this tapestry of burial styles, dolmenoid cists stand out. These cists were where the departed were laid to rest, often beneath moodukallu, or stone slabs with holes. Another intriguing find is the ‘Kalmesha’ or ‘Meshakallu,’ where a flat stone with a hole is placed over a large clay pot containing the remains. The ‘kalvritham’ or stone circle is yet another burial system where nature played its role in decomposition.
The ancient text Manimekhala vividly describes these burial practices, which include cremation, sky burial, traditional burial, and entombing the deceased in clay pots.
Important Points:
Discovery of Hat Stones at Nagaparamba
- Nagaparamba in Kuttippuram village, near Tirunavaya, Kerala, is the site of a significant discovery.
- Hat stones, known as Thoppikkallu in Malayalam, were found at this site.
- Hat stones are hemispherical laterite stones used as lids on burial urns during the megalithic period.
- This discovery could be the largest collection of hat stones in an unprotected site in Kerala.
- The excavation also revealed earthen urns and unique iron implements, shedding light on the ancient culture of the region over 2,000 years ago.
Understanding the Megalithic Period
- Megaliths are large stones representing the megalithic period, spanning from 2500 BC to AD 200.
- Megaliths were used to construct prehistoric structures or monuments, mainly for burials or commemorative purposes.
- Megalithic monuments are concentrated in various Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Megalithic Monuments in Kerala
- Megalithic monuments in Kerala are remnants of the Iron Age.
- They include clay utensils, pots, clay plates, small containers (cheppus), and iron weapons like swords and knives.
- Burial sites in Kerala exhibit diverse forms, including hood stones (kudakkallu), hat stones (thoppikkallu), and others.
- Dolmenoid cists were used for burials, often with moodukallu (stone slab) lids with holes.
- Kalmesha or Meshakallu involved placing a flat stone with a hole over a clay pot containing the deceased.
- Kalvritham was a stone circle burial system.
- Ancient texts like Manimekhala describe different burial practices, including cremation, sky burial, traditional burial, and burial in clay pots.
Why In News
Numerous megalithic hat stones, each carrying the enigmatic secrets of ancient civilizations, were unearthed at Nagaparamba in Kuttippuram village, near Tirunavaya, in the historic Malappuram district of Kerala. These remarkable discoveries shed new light on the rich cultural heritage of the region, enticing archaeologists and historians alike to delve deeper into this captivating archaeological site.
MCQs about Nagaparamba’s Megalithic Hat Stone Revelation
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What are hat stones?
A) Hemispherical stones used in construction
B) Stones used as cooking utensils
C) Hemispherical laterite stones used as burial urn lids
D) Circular stones used in ancient rituals
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During which period did the megalithic era, as discussed in the essay, primarily occur?
A) 500 BC to AD 100
B) 1000 BC to AD 500
C) 2500 BC to AD 200
D) 100 BC to AD 300
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What did the Nagaparamba excavation reveal besides hat stones?
A) Ancient coins
B) Pottery fragments
C) Gold jewelry
D) Iron implements and earthen urns
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