A laterite burial chamber believed to be dating back to around 2,000 years, in the Megalithic period, has been discovered at Nittadukkam in Kanhangad municipality in Keralam’s Kasaragod, providing evidence that the area was inhabited during the ancient period.

A Megalithic burial chamber found at Nittadukkam in Kanhangad, offering evidence of human habitation in the region around 2,000 years ago.

Special Arrangement

The burial chamber was found on the property of N. Sajith Kumar, an information technology employee residing at Chithira in Nittadukkam. The structure is believed to have been constructed as part of burial practices during the Megalithic period.

The site was confirmed as an ancient site following inspection by Nandakumar Koroth, history researcher and head of the Department of History at Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad. Dr. Koroth identified the structure as a laterite burial chamber or rock-cut meglithic burial.

The Kerala State Department of Archaeology officials also confirmed that it could be a megalithic chamber.

Archaeological significance

The discovery adds to Kanhangad’s archaeological significance, which already includes the Hosdurg Fort built in 1731, remnants associated with military expeditions of the 17th and 18th centuries, traditional nalukettu houses and places of worship. The burial chamber suggests that the region was a human settlement nearly two millennia ago.

The chamber has been carved into laterite rock and has a circular interior. Its entrance is currently sealed with stones. A portion that would normally have steps leading to the chamber is covered with soil. A circular opening measuring about 50 cm in diameter is located at the centre of the upper section.

The original stone slab used to cover the opening is found on the ground. According to the properly owners, a large rock was placed over the opening about 75 years ago in place of the slab.

The chamber is currently filled with soil, making it impossible to determine whether pottery or other burial objects are inside.

Megalithic burial chambers were generally constructed for funeral purposes and ash, bones and other objects, along with pottery and iron weapons, were usually placed inside as part of the burial rituals. Such monuments were constructed before 3rd century AD, according to historical accounts.

Locally, these structures are known by names such as Muniyara, Pandava Guha, Paranki Guha, Muthalpetti, Nidhikuzhi and Kaippathayam.

Mr. Koroth said that the monument at Nittadukkam has survived largely because of local beliefs surrounding it and is now considered one of the oldest surviving indicators of Kanhangad’s human past.

Kasaragod district has yielded several types of Megalithic monuments, including rock-cut burial chambers, dolmens, umbrella stones, capstones, urn burials, stone circles and rock paintings, highlighting the region’s rich prehistoric and early historic archaeological heritage.