Ancient megalithic-era artefacts unearthed in Manimoola during Jal Jeevan Mission works-OxBig News Network

Historical relics, estimated to be nearly 2,000 years old and dating back to the megalithic period, were recently discovered at Manimoola during excavation works under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Historical artefacts believed to date back to the megalithic period have been unearthed at Manimoola village in Bandadukka during excavation work carried out under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme recently. The relics were discovered while digging trenches to lay drinking water pipelines to nearby homes.

Dr. Nandakumar Koroth, historian and faculty member at Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad, confirmed that the rock-cut chamber and artefacts found at the site are significant remnants of the megalithic era.

Historical relics, estimated to be nearly 2,000 years old and dating back to the megalithic period, were recently discovered at Manimoola during excavation works under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Among the items recovered were a black ware pot, five four-legged jars, pots of various sizes, clay utensils resembling lids of large vessels, an iron stove stand with three support stones, and iron tools resembling penknives.

Notably, several bone fragments were found intact — a rare occurrence at such sites — indicating the possible presence of an air-sealed urn or burial jar beneath the soil. According to Dr. Koroth, these cremated remains resemble those found in urn burials across South India and suggest that a large vessel may have preserved the bone fragments by preventing natural decomposition. Residents claimed the fragments were located at the base of a massive clay jar.

A nearby stone structure, locally known as Pathaya Kallu, is also believed to be a megalithic-era monument. Similar burial chambers are known across the district by names such as Pandava Guha, Peerangi Guha, Muniyara, Swamikundu, and Kalpatthayam.

What makes the discovery remarkable is the fact that migrant workers employed under the Jal Jeevan Mission were able to retrieve the burial chamber and its contents within minutes, and without causing any damage — an effort that typically takes skilled archaeologists several days. The quality and durability of the pottery may have contributed to its preservation.

All artefacts recovered from the site have been handed over to the Archaeology department for further examination and scientific study.