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Burial urns point to Megalithic clans in Idukki

Past presents itself: Remains of earthen burial urns which were recently unearthed in Idukki.

KATTAPPANA: ‘Nannangadies' (earthen burial urns) unearthed at many places throw light on the rich heritage of clan-based societies in the Megalithic period. This seems true in the case of Idukki district too.

However, serious archaeological studies have not been taken up, as such findings are unearthed accidentally by local people or farm workers, said T. Rajesh, who did extensive research on the history of Idukki and its early settlers for his work Idukki Charithrarekhakal.

In the absence of preservation steps, the urns and the metallic items found inside them have been destroyed.

Earthen burial urns were recently found in Amaravathy and Cheruthoni, in addition to such findings at Santhanpara, Chempakapara, Udumpanchola, Marayur, Adimaly, Anakkara, Thopramkudy, Murikkattukudy, Kambilikandam, Parathodu and Rajakkad, he said.

The findings are evidence to show that a clan-based society existed in the Megalithic period in the High Ranges. Researchers have found evidence of settlers near the rock mountains at Anappara in Anakkara village, he said. Heavy man-made granite structures (‘veerakkallu') were found at Anappara, Adayalakkallu and many other areas. ‘Veerakkallu' is a marked burial place of warriors in the pre-historic era. These urns and granite structures are the remains of one of the earliest known inhabitants and are scattered at various places, which are now facing an increasing threat of destruction, he said.

The first burial urn unearthed in recorded history was at Chakramudy, when the first survey of erstwhile Travancore was conducted by a team of the Madras Army in 1817. This was followed by many such findings at various places in the High Ranges.

Mr. Rajesh said there was a need to identify places of historical importance in Idukki and efforts should be made to conserve them.

In spite of individual efforts, such findings are often destroyed owing to a lack of awareness.

Second burial place

Rajan Gurukkal, historian, said the burial urns were unique remains of a clan-based society and were the second burial place (where the mortal remains of a body were buried) of a chieftain or clan leader. The furnaces near such burial sites were indicators of primitive moulding of iron that were excavated from inside the urns along with small earthen pots.

He said separate archaeological studies had not been taken up in the district other than the one covering entire South India, including Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod. He said earthen urns with beautiful decorations were in bright colours of black and red. These were unique in its pattern and bore similarity only with the Indonesian findings. Though, burial urns had been unearthed the world over, the unique pattern of the findings in Idukki should prompt more studies, he said.

Carbon-dating

Carbon-dating shows that the burial urns represent a period from 1050 BC to AD 3. He said in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, such historical objects were protected scientifically and excavations by experts provided insight into such findings.

The Idukki district panchayat had documented the history of the district as part of its efforts to protect the cultural life and historical evidence beginning from the Megalithic period. E.J. Joseph, coordinator of the project, said the team members travelled far and wide and it was found that the evidence of the Megalithic period faced an increasing threat in the absence of effective protection over the years. It was due to the lack of serious archaeological intervention, he said.

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