THRISSUR: Cherumangadu Kudakkalparambu, an Iron Age megalithic burial site at Cherumangadu near Thrissur, is being given a facelift by the Archaeological Survey of India. The ASI is trying to get this site included on the World Heritage List, recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
The list includes 911 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.
“The burial site at Cherumangadu containing ‘Kodakkallu' or ‘umbrella stones' is unique. Nowhere else in the country do you find a similar site,” said M. Nambirajan, Superintending Archaeologist with the ASI.
Under a three-year Rs.40-lakh project, the ASI is developing pathways, lawns, proper signage and an information centre at the site.
“Lawns have been grown. Civil works are on. The landscape design has focussed on evoking an old-world feel,” said M.M. Vinod Kumar, a consultant for the project.
A megalith is a large stone used to construct a structure or monument. Megalithic structures are made without mortar or cement. Many megalithic monuments were burial grounds used by different generations.
Kerala's megalithic culture begins around 600-500 B.C. Excavations conducted by Babington in 1823 had led to the discovery of burial sites in Kannur.
The burial systems used in Kerala include urns or pits, either single or multiple, found in single or multiple chambered dolmens or cists. The number of chambers in the burial indicates the number of people buried.
“Kodakkallu or umbrella stones have been found only in Kerala. A Kodakkal has a stem made of three or more massive stones (orthostats) covered by an overhead canopy,” Dr. Nambirajan added.
The Source: The Hindu, 7-12-2010
The list includes 911 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.
“The burial site at Cherumangadu containing ‘Kodakkallu' or ‘umbrella stones' is unique. Nowhere else in the country do you find a similar site,” said M. Nambirajan, Superintending Archaeologist with the ASI.
Under a three-year Rs.40-lakh project, the ASI is developing pathways, lawns, proper signage and an information centre at the site.
“Lawns have been grown. Civil works are on. The landscape design has focussed on evoking an old-world feel,” said M.M. Vinod Kumar, a consultant for the project.
A megalith is a large stone used to construct a structure or monument. Megalithic structures are made without mortar or cement. Many megalithic monuments were burial grounds used by different generations.
Kerala's megalithic culture begins around 600-500 B.C. Excavations conducted by Babington in 1823 had led to the discovery of burial sites in Kannur.
The burial systems used in Kerala include urns or pits, either single or multiple, found in single or multiple chambered dolmens or cists. The number of chambers in the burial indicates the number of people buried.
“Kodakkallu or umbrella stones have been found only in Kerala. A Kodakkal has a stem made of three or more massive stones (orthostats) covered by an overhead canopy,” Dr. Nambirajan added.
The Source: The Hindu, 7-12-2010
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