Locating the Megalithic Burial Sites of Sulthan Bathery Taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala

Author: Hasanath K. P.
Abstract: Megalithic Culture indicates ‘huge stone burial culture’ which are the predominant archaeological remains of the Iron Age that represents a formative stage of the history of Kerala in general and Wayanad district in particular. Due to the unavailability of habitational evidences the Iron Age researches of Kerala are mainly based on grave goods which provide possible clues related to the material culture of Iron Age people. Wayanad a small hilly district of Kerala yielded varied types of megalithic burial monuments. Sulthan Bathery, a Taluk of Wayanad district is very rich in such kind of Archaeological evidences. The typology, architecture and grave goods obtained from megalithic monuments of the study area indicate that the people who belonged to this culture were technologically advanced and were aware about every form of livelihood. However, no systematic
Index Volume of Indian Journal of Archaeology
explorations and excavations have been conducted in the study area to understand the characteristics features of Megalithic people and their livelihood till date.

Summary:

The article by Hasanath K. P. discusses the Megalithic culture of Wayanad district in Kerala, focusing on burial monuments as the primary archaeological evidence of the Iron Age in the region. Due to the lack of habitational sites, most insights into Iron Age life in Kerala come from grave goods found in megalithic burials. Sulthan Bathery, a taluk in Wayanad, is particularly rich in such archaeological remains. The typology, architectural styles, and associated artefacts suggest a technologically adept society with diverse livelihood practices. Despite this potential, the region has yet to undergo systematic archaeological exploration or excavation to fully understand the life and culture of its Iron Age inhabitants.

Keywords:
Megalithic culture, Iron Age, Wayanad, Kerala, Sulthan Bathery, burial monuments, grave goods, archaeology, technological advancement, cultural practices.