Ancient structures found by archaeologists, could be marking stones or cemeteries

TIRUPUR: In Tirupur district, near Palladam, archaeological enthusiasts are claiming to have found ancient structures which could either be marking stones or cemeteries. The state archaeological department has been informed about it.

Five structures were found on a farmland in Ugayanur panchayat, out of which one is damaged. Some of the villagers worship these structures and celebrate the festival 'Aadi Perukku', despite not having any knowledge about these structures.

“Like megalithic remains, these structures were made by placing irregular rectangular stones on all the four sides. Capstones were placed atop the stones planted on either side, giving them a box shape,” said B Stephen Mudiyarasu, an archaeological enthusiast.

“According to a few nonagenarians in the locality, about 10 similar structures were once present on the farm but only five were left now. Earlier, members of two communities used to celebrate festival near the structures, but it is confined to one community now,” said Mudiyarasu.

He said that these structures could be 'kalthittai' or dolmenoid cists/box shaped stone burial chambers. “Stone deities were found inside two of the structures but the people could have placed them in later centuries.” 

A senior official with the archaeological department said, “Similar stone structures erected to protect marking stones were found in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. Dolmenoid cists were mostly discovered in hilly areas. In plains, ‘Kalpathugai’, another box-shaped burial chamber was found earlier. So, only proper study would help to understand history about the structures.”