DIGITAL MUSEUM
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Terracotta figurines from Thekkekkara
Thekkekkara is a Megalithic burial site located in Elanadu village, Thalappilly taluk, Thrissur district. A number of terracotta figurines were discovered from Thekkekkara burial, such as
- Terracotta human figurines fragments from Thekkekkara, including breast with arms, necklace, armband and feet
- Terracotta animal legs
- Terracotta animal horns
- Terracotta bull figurine
- Unidentified Terracotta fragments
Terracotta figurines from Mullassery
Mullassery is a megalithic site located in Chavakkad taluk, Thrissur district. At Mullassery, hand modelling (pinching, appliqué and luting) and moulding were used for the production of terracotta objects. The terracotta figurines collected from Mullassery are:
- Terracotta animal legs
- Unidentified Terracotta fragments
Megalithic Culture or Iron Age Culture in Kerala
The term ‘Megalith’ means ‘huge stone’, which is derived from the Greek words megas (huge) and lithos (stone). The megalith refers to a grave or memorial erected in stone, whether dressed or in its natural form, containing, enclosing or erected over the funerary assemblage. It has no regional bounds, and it is a worldwide feature with variations associated with several cultures. In southern India, including Kerala, the use of the metal iron is associated with this culture, hence this period is also referred to as Iron Age in Kerala. Kerala has got a spectacular variety of megalithic monuments spread over its different parts, which include rock-cut chambers (vettukal-guha), umbrella stones (kudakkal), capstones (topikkal), dolmens (muniyara), hood stones, etc. The chronological range of Iron Age culture in Kerala is approximately between 900 BCE and 300 CE.
The Megalithic burials in Kerala are secondary in nature. That means the whole dead body is not buried, but some bone fragments are buried along with burial goods such as pottery, iron objects, semi-precious stone beads, copper and gold objects, cereal grains, etc.
