A team of historians studying the earthen figurines found at Vendallur in Irumbiliam village, near Valanchery, has stumbled upon evidence that indicates the presence of human settlements during the megalithic age. The research team from Calicut University led by P. Sivadasan found eight rounded pits dug in a unique pattern on a massive laterite rock on top of Parambathukavu hill. Scrutiny of the pits, with 21-inch diameter and depth, found that they had been dug during the megalithic period by using iron tools.
“This has been a curious finding, which throws fresh light on the historical studies of ancient Kerala,” said Dr. Sivadasan.
People living in nearby places said they believed that the pits had been dug by their forefathers in connection with some black magic. Dr. Sivadasan said no reference was found in megalithic studies to such pits so far. His team’s initial inference was that those pits could have been used to construct a structure to place the bodies during the megalithic age. Quoting studies, Dr. Sivadasan said bodies were widely left to the elements during the megalithic age. “We presume that those pits were used for the tent to keep the bodies,” he said.
He has proposed a detailed study in the region, from where a large number of earthen figurines were found a few months ago. Studies have shown that the region had plenty of iron ore. The tunnels found on the hills were believed to have been used for digging out the iron ore.
Dr. Sivadasan said the proximity of the hill to the Bharatapuzha indicated the presence of a thriving civilization that exported iron
in large quantity through Ponnani port. The region thus got the name Irumbiliyam, linking it to the presence of iron.
