New Investigations and Insights into the Distribution Pattern and Current Status of Megalithic Remains in Kollam District, Kerala

Arun Kumar K.S.*, Abhayan G.S. and Rajesh S.V.**

Megaliths are a global phenomenon that transcend regional boundaries, appearing in varied forms across different cultural contexts. In Kerala, the Megalithic tradition is associated with the Early Iron Age and shares significant similarities with its counterparts across the Indian subcontinent. The state of Kerala provides evidence of a diverse range of Megalithic monuments, particularly in its northern and central regions. Kollam (8.9969° N, 76.8721° E), one of the southern districts of Kerala, is an area where only limited research on Megaliths has been conducted. Systematic surveys, proper documentation, and detailed studies of these monuments in the region remain largely absent. Much of the Megalithi archaeology of Kollam is known through stray finds, and most sites were discovered accidentally. A recent comprehensive village-to-village survey has significantly enhanced our understanding of the Megalithic culture of the Kollam region. This study, conducted across 1,315 localities in 64 Grama Panchayats, four municipalities, and one corporation, identified 59 newly reported megalithic sites in Kollam district, increasing the total number of sites from 35 (previously reported) to 94. At present, several religious communities continue to worship at certain Megalithic sites, particularly within Hindu communities. In the study area, a total of seven sites is currently worshipped by different communities and are associated with different types of megalithic monuments. This presentation examines the distribution patterns, typology, current religious practices, and distinctive features of the Megalithic remains in Kollam district, Kerala.