Madurai :

The stone structure could be taken for an ordinary boulder if one does not pay close attention, but the lone dolmen inside the Sirumalai forest in Madurai district is an ancient artefact pointing to possible human habitation in the area several centuries ago. Situated some 2km above Kutladampatti Falls in an area called Thadagainachi kovil, the stone walls with a flat stone on top possibly dates back to prehistoric Iron Age, according to scholars.

The dolmen was an accidental discovery, found when officials from the district forest office were charting out nature trails inside forest areas to promote eco-tourism and provide livelihood to tribal youth. The department carved out four trails- Bison Trail, Deer Trail, Hare Trail and Snake Trail. The dolmen was found on the 18km-long Bison Trail, which descends from upper Sirumalai to Kutladampatti falls.

“It was an added feature on our Bison Trail,” said Madurai district forest officer (DFO) Nihar Ranjan.

A dolmen in the middle of the forest means that there was human settlement in the area once, according to archaeologists. Such structures were burial places in the prehistoric Iron Age. The dolmens in the region are scattered across Palani Hills. Thandikudi is a prominent site. Dolmens were also spotted in Pandrimalai near Dindigul, scholars said.

“There is every possibility for a dolmen in Sirumalai because there are many dolmens spread across the hillocks of the region,” said V Vedachalam, retired archaeologist in the city. Such archaeological structures of anthropological importance should be protected well, archaeologists feel.

The DFO said anyone who wants to pay a visit to the place should get prior permission from the department as it falls under protected area.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by J. Arockiaraj, TNN / July 10th, 2015