An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s17.76

v1.c9.s17.76

Compared to the dwellings, the burial architecture of the people was impressive and also varied in types. Significantly the megalithic clusters of the lower Krishna basin appear to be smaller in extent than those of the lower Deccan and the s. Surface indications of such monuments, known in the Andhra region as *rākṣasī-gullu*, are stone circles or cairn circles, with single or multiple capstones, in the form of large heavy slabs below the cairn heap. Burial chambers are to be seen underground, sometimes without any skeletal remains. Generally the post-excarnation burial, either in graves or in urns or cists, was the dominant mode of disposal of the dead; burial furniture included pottery, iron objects, ornaments and so on. Elaborate rites, including interment of animals before the burial of the human remains, were followed at NAGARJUNAKONDA. Dolmenoid cists, menhirs, alignments [4.17], etc., are however visible partly or wholly on the surface.