[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.s17.12 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.12 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.12 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c9.s17.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.12) (1) Dolmenoid cist (or dolmen): It is a box-like chamber made of completely rude or partially dressed stones which may be fully or partially overground or underground. Krishnaswami divides them into three subtypes designated as D1, D2 and D3. They denote three different stages of the visibility of the monument, but N.R. Banerjee has rightly pointed out that there is probably 'no real distinction between types D2 and D3, differential exposure by erosion and deliberate or casual removal of the covering cairn heap being the cause of the present exposed appearance of monuments' (\*AI\* 15, 1959, p. 7). Thus the major portion of D1 is sunk underground rising only 50 cm above ground; in D2 the monument is fully overground: in D3 the entire chamber is underground. Dolmenoid cists when surrounded by a cairn circle enclose an area varying from 3 to 48 m in diameter. The e. orthostat of the cists may have been a port-hole or the e. side may have a closed or open passage replacing the port hole. The best examples of this type exist in Dt Chingleput where they are found entombing one to five terracotta sarcophagi \[12.9\], sometimes zoomorphic in shape. Thus the one from SANKAVARAM, Dt Cuddapah, resembles a ram and another from PALLAVARAM, Dt Chingleput, an elephant. - [Previous: v1.c9.s17.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.11) - [Next: v1.c9.s17.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.13) - [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.s17.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s17.12) · Pramāṇa