Mangalore: A cave dating back to the Iron Age-Megalithic period has been discovered at Kallembi village of Kadaba Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district.
The cave was accidentally discovered when land was being leveled for plantation. MSRS College Associate Professor in Ancient History and Archaeology Prof T Murugeshi who got to know about this visited the spot with his team and conducted preliminary studies.
“The cave was found on August 19 and we came to know about it the next day. When we visited the spot the land owner Vishwanath Gowda Balladka told us that the items found inside the cave were taken out and emptied in the presence of the Village Accountant. The collected materials were dumped. The entire procedure was videographed,” Murugeshi said.
Prof Murugeshi feels that the site might date back to 800 BC -500 BC.
The site where the cave was found is on the slope of a small hillock. The earthmover had opened one side of the cave.
“The cave looks like a hemispherical dome having a central pillar. Pottery base impressions are visible on the inside surface of the cave. A heap of soil on either side of the pillar was found, without clearing the debris proper study is difficult,” Murugeshi said.
However, after Panchnama, Murugeshi and his team took the potteries found in the cave for further studies.
One-legged Red jar about 10 inches in height, large red lid about 7.5 inches in diameter, another large black lid about 8.5 inches in diameter, three red potteries about 19 cm, 22 cm, and 23.5 cm in height each, one small black pot about 9 cm in height with small mouth about 2 cm, one small red lid and black and redware bowl pieces with a flat bottom, lamps of red and black color with the round base were collected from the site.
Murugeshi stated that the potteries clearly indicate that the cave belonged to the Iron Age-Megalithic period and resembled the grave potteries found in Moodabidri of Dakshina Kannada and Siddalingapura of Kodagu districts.
“Some small particles of husk, probably of Ragi, were found inside a red pot. We collected it carefully and have sent it to Deccan College -Pune. This would be of great help in knowing more about the people living here,” Murugeshi told Deccan Chronicle.
He believes that the area might throw more details about the Megalithic age.
“We felt that there is a need for excavation in the area as it would help us to study more about this place. Based on our request, State Archeology Department Director R Gopal visited the spot today. A decision will be taken on excavation shortly,” he added.
