An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.114

v1.c9.s17.114

(1) Rock-cut cave: A cave is fashioned by first scooping out a stepped rectangular pit into the lateritic outcrop, and then by hollowing out the necessary solid mass through a narrow opening cut often on the e. side of the pit. The opening may be square or rectangular. If rectangular, it may take the shape of recesses cut in a graded series, the inner one smaller than the outer, so that the last recess frames the opening proper through which the followed mass is flung out. The floor of the cave, roughly circular, semicircular or oblong, is usually 30 to 60 cm lower than the base of the outer pit. The ceiling is vaulted or horizontal. Sometimes a pillar is left standing in the centre of the cave; in other cases a circular hole opens to the sky. Solid or legged benches, 15 to 50 cm high, are often provided on the sides of the cave in order to place funerary goods. In some instances the open court leads to more than one cave; for example, at EYAAL, the main cave faces e., while a second one faces s.; at KATTAKAMPAL two lateral caves face e. while one each faces n. and s.