An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.119

v1.c9.s17.119

(5) Dolmen: A dolmen is a box-like burial chamber, measuring on an average 150 × 75 × 65 cm, with four orthostats and a capstone, all made of granite. There are only three orthostats in some dolmens and the fourth side is left open. Usually the box is not wholly overground and is oriented e.-w. The orthostats are arranged in *svastika* pattern, clockwise or anti-clockwise. Some dolmens also have a port-hole usually in the e. orthostat and are surrounded by a cairn or rubble. A dolmen is usually enclosed within a stone circle and has sometimes a bench inside it. Inside the dolmen are arranged funerary goods. The type is found also in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in the s. peninsula.