Mangaluru: A Menhir of the Megalithic Era has been discovered at Nintikallu of Sullia Taluk in Karnataka.
The Menhir which dates back to more than 2,000 years is said to be the first of its kind discovered so far in the Dakshina Kannada district.
MSRS College Ancient History and Archaeology Department Associate Professor Prof. Murugeshi T and his team who recently visited Kadaba were told about this by local residents.
"We came to see the spot and discovered the stone to be a Megalithic Menhir. Megalithic culture is predominantly represented by different types of burials including Menhirs in coastal Karnataka. The one discovered at Nintikallu is about 10 feet in height. The lower half of the structure got buried under the recently built concrete platform. It is now called Vanadurga Katte and presently a female deity is worshipped here,” Prof. Murugeshi T told Deccan Chronicle.
“Menhirs are known by various names like, Nilskal, Nintikal, Anekallu, Rakkasakal, Garbinikal and so on in South India. It is clear that the place Nintikallu got its name from this Menhir as we have seen in the case of Nilskal (in Shivamogga district). Dayananda Gowda, a local resident whose house is nearby, told us that they had found thick red potteries while digging the site for the construction works. The pottery confirms that the place has Megalithic connections,” he added.
