Megalithic Pottery

Megalithic Pottery – Ambalamedu and Anakkara

Megalith objects collected from Ambalamedu in Idukki and Anakkara in Palakkad occupy a major share of megalithic pottery collection in the museum.

Megalithic cultures existed primarily during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, spanning from around 4000 BCE to 1500 BCE in different parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Megalithic pottery refers to ceramic artifacts associated with ancient megalithic cultures, which are known for constructing massive stone structures like dolmens, menhirs, and stone circles. Many megalithic pottery pieces were constructed using the coil method, where long coils of clay are stacked and then smoothed to create the desired shape.

Studying megalithic pottery provides archaeologists and historians with valuable information about ancient societies’ technological capabilities, trade networks, social organization, religious beliefs, and artistic expressions. Through careful analysis of pottery fragments and associated archaeological evidence, researchers can reconstruct aspects of daily life and cultural practices from these early periods of human history.

Megalithic Pottery from Ambalamedu, Idukki

Ambalamedu, located in the Idukki district of Kerala, India, holds archaeological significance due to its association with various historical and cultural aspects of the region. Ambalamedu and its surrounding areas contain several megalithic sites, including burial sites, stone circles, and other ancient structures.

Megalithic Pottery from Anakkara, Palakkad

Archaeological excavations undertaken at the site of Anakkara, Palakkad district, Kerala, in 2008-2009 brought to light Iron Age Early Historic (‘Megalithic’) and the Mesolithic cultural evidence. Megalithic burial, Kudakkal and multiple hood stone were excavated in 2008, and these burials produced rich variety of ceramics, iron objects, human bones and black and red ware (BRW) pottery.

Archaeological excavation undertaken at the site of Anakkara, Palakkad district, Kerala in 2008 has brought to light Iron Age- Early Historic (Megalithic) burials and the earlier Mesolithic evidence. Professor Rajan Gurukkal, was the Director of the excavations at Anakkara.