South India, renowned for its layered history and cultural richness, has long attracted the attention of archaeologists. Beneath its fertile landscapes, traces of prehistoric communities continue to emerge, offering glimpses into a world that thrived thousands of years ago. One such remarkable discovery lies in Mangadu or Mangad in Kerala, a site that has unveiled a wealth of megalithic structures and artefacts dating between 1000 B.C. and 100 B.C.
Megalithic Traditions of Mangadu
The defining feature of Mangadu’s archaeology is its megaliths. These stone monuments, shaped like hats or umbrellas, are locally known as topikals (“hat stones”) and kudaikals (“umbrella stones”). Constructed from laterite, a material abundantly available in the region, these structures represent a sophisticated burial tradition.
A typical topikal was created by digging a pit, placing four vertical stones inside, and sealing them with a circular capstone that resembled a hat. Beneath these, burial urns were placed in underground chambers. The kudaikals followed a similar design, but the larger, overhanging top stone gave them the appearance of an umbrella. Beyond these common forms, Mangadu also revealed rare variations—stone circles intersecting one another, clusters of burial urns grouped together, and burials roofed with multiple capstones—highlighting the diversity of megalithic practices in Kerala.
The Madankavu Excavation
The most significant discovery at Mangadu was made at the Madankavu urn-burial site in Kollam district. Excavated in 1992 by archaeologist Sathyamurthy, the findings were meticulously documented in The Iron Age in India: A Report on Mangadu Excavation by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala. This excavation placed Mangadu at the forefront of megalithic research in the state.
Artefacts and Cultural Insights
The excavation unearthed a fascinating collection of artefacts, shedding light on the lives of the people who inhabited Mangadu during the Iron Age. Among the discoveries were carnelian beads, fine pottery, and iron implements. Of particular note were 30 carnelian beads, 20 of which belonged to the etched variety, pointing to advanced craftsmanship and suggesting trade connections with distant regions.
The iron objects included wedges, long knives, sickles, tanged knives, and blades—tools commonly associated with agricultural and burial practices across South India’s megalithic sites. The presence of iron slag further indicated that iron-smelting and metalworking were practiced locally. Together, these findings suggest that the people of Mangadu were predominantly farmers who relied on iron tools to support agricultural livelihoods.
Pottery fragments formed another significant portion of the discoveries. The black-and-red ware stood out as the most prominent type, consistent with Iron Age ceramic traditions. Some vessels were handmade, while others were wheel-thrown, showcasing both traditional and advanced techniques.
Establishing the Timeline
A charcoal sample recovered from one of the burial urns underwent radiocarbon dating, which placed the burial context around 900 B.C. This result firmly situates Mangadu within the early Iron Age of South Indian prehistory, aligning with other megalithic sites across the Deccan.
Significance of Mangadu
The archaeology of Mangadu offers invaluable insights into
Kerala’s ancient past. Its megaliths, artefacts, and burial practices not only
illuminate the cultural life of early Iron Age communities but also highlight
their technological advances, agricultural base, and possible trade networks.
As one of Kerala’s most significant megalithic discoveries, Mangadu continues
to enrich our understanding of South India’s deep and complex prehistory.
