Mudumal's 3,000-Year-Old Menhirs Could Gain UNESCO Recognition

Hyderabad:Mudumal, a small village in Narayanpet, could gain international acclaim for its 3,000-year-old megalithic menhirs, the only one of their kind, which hold historical, cultural and astronomical significance.

These ancient stone structures not only shed light on burial rituals and anthropological practices but also serve as one of South Asia’s earliest representations of the night skies.

Spread across 89 acres, there are about 80 tall (10-15 feet high) stone structures arranged in lines and some 1,500 boulders aligned in various formations, like circles, straight lines and others. There are around 25 circular formations, 15-20 metres in diameter.

Many formations were destroyed when a lift irrigation project was built nearby. The stones were removed to allow the agricultural land to spread.

Menhirs are widely distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia. They are also found at the Pothamala hills in Kerala, Melkote in the Mandya district of Karnataka, Kodumanal in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu.

In Telangana, however, the menhirs appear to have great astronomical significance as they have two depictions of Ursa Major constellation, also known as Saptarishi mandala. The seven-star constellation has two stars called Dubhe and Merak that point towards the North Star.

"This is probably the only megalithic site in the world that serves as a navigation device," said Prof K.P. Rao, who has studied the site extensively in collaboration with Deccan Heritage Academy Trust. The organisation is researching the site and making efforts to bring the Unesco World Heritage Site tag for Mudumal.

"While Korea also has some depictions of Ursa Major, Mudumal is the only site that has orientation fidelity," Dr Rao said.

One of the stones aligns with the setting sun and another stone with a squarish perimetre, has two corners aligning with the rising sun.

The proposal for the World Heritage Site tag has been sent to the Archeological Survey of India. The ASI will forward the application to the Unesco.

Local traditions and stories showcase how citizens have tried to make sense of the site. "The stones are called Niluvu Rallu (standing stones). It is said that the taller stones were people once, who tried to deceive the Goddess Yellema by placing a few gold coins on top of a black stone, claiming that it is a whole pot of gold coins. The goddess cursed them and they turned to stone,” Dr Rao said.

"Such beliefs have protected the site so far. The locals do not come here due to fear of being turned to stone. The tall stones are considered to be humans and small boulders are thought to be cattle."

The government has enclosed around three acres of the land with a fence. The rest of the spread is vulnerable, but over the past few years, awareness about it has helped preserve these stones that fall even in private land.

The site has not been excavated but the burial rituals are expected to be the same as everywhere else in the world.

"Other similar sites have uncovered mass graves, a great amount of pots, copper jewellery and iron tools and weapons. "DHAT is constantly studying the site for greater exploration and revealing information that can bring a Unesco WHS tag for it," Dr Rao said.