(Radiocarbon date: between 512 and 382 BCE)

The area of Nannangadikkunnu in Alanallur region (Mannarkkad Taluk, Palakkad) is a hillock having a large number of Megalithic burials spread across approximately an area of 7 hectares. One of the urn burials was found exposed and emptied on the land owned by Mr. Kuttikkodan Kunjali. A salvage excavation was conducted at this location by a team of archaeologists from Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala. The scrapings from the bottom of the urn were radiocarbon dated and got a date between 512 and 382 BCE. As the urn was already emptied from inside, no artefacts were recovered from the jar. The urn was in a fragile condition as it was affected by the moisture and was cracked by the action of coconut tree roots. During the excavation, it was noticed that the pointed bottom portion of the urn was supported by packing of rubbles of laterite and granite.

The urn burial at Nannangadikkunnu is tied with cotton ropes to minimize breakage during the excavation

The urn burial at Nannangadikkunnu is tied with cotton ropes to minimize breakage during the excavation