An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c29.1074

v2.c29.1074

The peculiar feature of the culture is the disposal of the dead in a specially constructed stone cist or excavated pit, each enclosed by a circle of boulders on the surface or rarely two concentric circles measuring from 4·8 to 6·3 m in diameter. Of the ten excavated megaliths six are cist circles and four pit circles, respectively numbered I, IV, V, VI, VIII and X, and II, III, VII and IX. The roughly dressed orthostats of the cists measure generally 1·5 to 2·1 m in length 10 to 20 cm in thickness and 1·8 m in height, set mostly in a contra-clockwise way; the floor also is covered with a similar slab. The top of the cist carries an enormous slab (not always available) about 30 cm thick, much larger than the external area of the cist. In the e. orthostat is invariably a port-hole, about 45 to 60 cm in diameter, which is approached externally by a short passage formed by either two orthostats or dry walling. The port-hole as well as the entrance to the passage were closed, obviously after the burial ceremonies, with a thin slab supported externally by a mixture of lime and earth. The whole cist is surrounded by a roughly circular dry-stone walling curling towards the capstone. Around a few cists there are small ancillary shallow cists.