[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c9.s17.119 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.119 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.119 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c9.s17.119](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.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. - [Previous: v1.c9.s17.118](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.118) - [Next: v1.c9.s17.120](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.120) - [Up: v1.c9.s17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.119](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.119) · Pramāṇa