Archaeologists discovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana.
Discovery Team:
- Members: K.P. Rao (University of Hyderabad) and Ch Praveen Raju (Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh)
- Location: Forested area of the tribal-dominated district
Findings:
- Number of Monuments: More than 200 megalithic monuments (exact count not determined due to dense forest)
- Description: Unique types of monuments discovered, different from those found in other regions of India
- Typical Monuments: Dolmenoid Cists with squarish or rectangular shapes
- Unique Features: Side slabs arranged to follow the shape of the cap-stone, resulting in each dolmenoid cist having a unique shape
- Dating: Monuments dated around 1,000 BCE
Significance:
- Comparison with European Monuments: Similarities to Passage Chambers in Europe, suggesting a possible influence on the evolution of megalithic monuments.
Locations:
- Sites: Damaratogu in Gundala mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district
- First Site: Devarlabanda Mula
Characteristics:
- Depictions: Only animals, no humans
- Absence of Weapons/Domestic Animals: Suggests a possible Mesolithic age dating back to 8000 – 3000 BCE.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Where was the unique Iron Age megalithic site discovered?
- A) Bandala village
- B) Damaratogu
- C) Ooragutta
- D) Gundala mandal
- Answer: C) Ooragutta
- Who were the members of the team that discovered the megalithic site?
- A) K.P. Rao and Ch Praveen Raju
- B) Ch Praveen Raju and Prof. Rao
- C) K.P. Rao and Prof. Praveen
- D) Ch Praveen Raju and Prof. Praveen
- Answer: A) K.P. Rao and Ch Praveen Raju
- What distinguishes the discovered megalithic monuments from those found in other regions of India?
- A) They are smaller in size
- B) They have circular shapes
- C) They are arranged differently, following the cap-stone shape
- D) They are made of a different material
- Answer: C) They are arranged differently, following the cap-stone shape
- What is the estimated dating of the megalithic monuments discovered at Ooragutta?
- A) 500 BCE
- B) 1000 BCE
- C) 1500 BCE
- D) 2000 BCE
- Answer: B) 1000 BCE
- What distinguishes the rock art site ‘Devarlabanda Mula’?
- A) Presence of human depictions
- B) Absence of animal depictions
- C) Presence of weapons
- D) Absence of human depictions and weapons
- Answer: D) Absence of human depictions and weapons