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Context:

Recently in Kerala’s Kanhirapoil 24 pairs of megalithic era rock-cut footprints and a human figure discovered in private property.

About the discovery:

The carvings, made with iron tools, include footprints varying in size from 6 to 10 inches suggesting representations of both Children and adults.
At the end of the footprints, a human figure has been intricately etched, accompanied by 4 circular pits around it.
According to an archaeology expert:

The footprints represent the souls of dead people and has been carved out to honour them. However, local people believe these footprints to be that of a goddess.
All the footprints are carved out to the west.
These carvings bear similarities to prehistoric rock art found in Avalakki Pera in Udupi district of Karnataka.
This discovery also aligns with earlier findings in North Kerala.

About the Megalithic period:

The megalithic period mainly belongs to the Iron Age (1500 BC-500 BC).
Megalith is basically a large stone used in constructing monuments or structures.

Types of Megalithic Monuments:

Menhirs: Big stones placed vertically on the ground commemorating the death of an important person
Dolemns: Two or more vertically standing stones supporting a flat capstone and used as burial chambers
Cromlechs: circular structures of stones used for rituals, religious rites and social gatherings
Cist: small stone-built coffin-like box for holding the dead bodies
Small burial pits covered with capstones

Features of Megalithic culture:

The main feature is big stone structures like Menhirs and Dolmens.
Small community-based inhabitation.
Primitive stone and bone tools.
Animal hunting and food gathering.
Circles of big stones for performing rituals and ceremonies inside. For example- Burial
The dressing stones were worshipped as mother goddess.
Built Cists to bury dead bodies and buried pots, weapons, pieces of jewellery, etc. with the dead body
Putting things with the dead highlights their belief in the afterlife concept.
Usage of cowrie shells for trading.