An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s16.7

v1.c9.s16.7

(4) *Iron in the Megalithic context at Hallur and elsewhere in s. India.* The megaliths as a type, with a profusion of iron in them, continue well into the historical period in the s., and there are too many of them all over the peninsula calling for individual datings. The beginning of the Megalithic level which has been called the transitional phase between the Neolithic [4.6.9] and the Megalithic [4.17.8] at the site of HALLUR has revealed iron arrowhead and spearhead and gives two ¹⁴C dates broadly around 1000 B.C. That these dates are not freaks is suggested by a few other pre-500 B.C. dates from some Megalithic sites in the lower Deccan and s. [4.17.9]. The recent discovery (unpublished at the time of writing, 1978) of a Megalithic settlement site at HALLUR deserves attention, being likely to throw light on the Iron Age culture of this part of India.