Prelims Bits
Recent archaeological findings in Gangavathi (Karnataka) have unearthed:
- Neolithic rock art on cave ceilings made using red pigments, depicting human figures, symbols, and scenes like men and women holding hands, reflecting early symbolic communication.
- Cup-marked stones that produce sound when struck, indicating ritual or alert functions.
- A 17th-century Kannada inscription featuring motifs of the sun, moon, bow, and arrow.
Hire Benakal – Nearby Megalithic Site (~10 km from Gangavathi):
- India’s Largest Necropolis: ~1,000 dolmens spread over 20 hectares.
- Megalithic Elements: Capstone dolmens, cairns, menhirs, and pit-circles.
- Unique Dolmen Type: “Hire Benakal Type” dolmens with port-holes, possibly for ritual offerings.
- Acoustic Feature: A ringing stone that echoes for up to 1 km, likely used for ceremonial or communication purposes.
- UNESCO Status: Included in India’s UNESCO Tentative List for its archaeological significance.