Huge dolmen discovered

A recent discovery by a freelance archaeologist of a huge dolmen, stated to be the biggest of its kind in South India and dating back to the Iron Age (between 1,000 B.C. to 500 B.C.) at Pandavulametta, Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, was confirmed by the State Archaeology department.

In what could be described as serendipity, the discovery of the “megalithic sepulchral monument” was chanced upon by a freelance archaeologist and former Deputy Director, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, K. Venkateswara Rao, who used to frequently visit Jaina site at Dannanapeta and Pandavulametta.

The discovery of the structure was later confirmed by a team of archaeologists led by P. Chenna Reddy, Director, Department of Archaeology & Museums, Andhra Pradesh government.

A dolmen is an ancient burial place, built in a rectangular shape with an opening and covered by a huge capstone. The discovery gained a lot of significance as it is the biggest dolmen reported from A.P., measuring 36 feet in length and 14 feet in breadth with a thickness of two feet. The single largest capstone weighed more than 50 tonnes.

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