Dolmen Landscapes of the Western Ghats of Palghat Gap Region of India

Koyu Rajan

This paper discusses the dolmen sites of the Palghat Gap region of India. The author has done detailed documentation of the megalithic sites in the region. The most important megalithic burial types in the region are urn burials, menhirs, cists, dolmenoid cists, dolmens, umbrella stones, cairn circles, stone circles, hood stones, among others. Dolmens are invariably found on hill tops. This paper aims to discuss in detail the recently explored dolmen site at Pattippara. The site was first surveyed in 2012. Between 2024 and 2025, the author could make an in-depth study of the architectural features of the dolmens in the site. With in 15 cairn circles, there are only a few dolmens which continue to remain intact. Traces of over 30 dolmens could be found in the site. The number of dolmens which had existed at the site originally was much higher. One of the cairn circles has traces of nearly 10 dolmens. The site has been ruined due to natural factors as also human intervention. The paper will present several details, including the nature of dolmen clusters in the Gap region, resource availability, physiographic settings, features of pottery, and many others.