An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c37.99

v2.c37.99

The cist does not appear to be a popular type in this region as is evident from the discovery of only seven or eight such monuments amidst thousands of cairn circles. For preparing a cist a pit was first dug into the natural ground. Thereafter the orthostats were placed in such a manner so as to form four side walls of a box-like chamber. Sometimes a secondary packing of small stone pieces was provided on both the sides of the uprights with a view to saving them from collapse. At the end of the burial ritual the tomb was finally sealed by a massive slab resting directly on the four orthostats. The uprights and the capstones often enclosed by stone circle generally rose above the ground surface.