Megalithic culture was a dominating culture of South India and Karnataka as well. It was known by its facinating burials and curious data. Southern West Coast of Karnataka and Kerala was recorded a very special type of Megaliths like Rock-Cut-Caves, scooped out in the laterite earth. A peculiar type of rock cut cave has been found at Aturu-Kundaje government cashew nut plantaion near Ramakunja of Kadaba taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, says Prof. Murugeshi T., Associate Professor and H.O.D. department of History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva, in his press release here today.
Normally, 2.5 or 3 feet circular opening in center cut into the laerite about a meter deep and the bottom is cut into a hemisperical shape with the various depth and circumberence. This type of rock-cut-caves are common in the southern west coast of Karnataka. A small variation is found in Kerala, with side openings in the subsurfce, but central opening was common in both the cases.
In the case which is presently under study, there is no central opening but, a huge engraving of a circle about of 7 feet diameter found above the laterite surface and exactley below this in same dimension a hemispherical cave with a side opening about a 2 feet in height has been found. This side enterence designed like a doorframe and It’s oriented to north-east direction.
Usually, Megalithic burials marked by stone circles, menhirs and stone carnes. but, it is the first time in India a sepulchral marked by a circle or Zero. It brings up a ineresting questions like did Megalithians knew Zero or did they invent it first?
Perahps, it was the first rock engraving of megalithic period found from Dakshina Kannada says Prof. Murugeshi T., no grave goods found inside the cave, but, in the center an alter like pit is noticed and it is also a curious evidence also. A very small pisces of red, blok and red pottery is found in small quantity in the cave. Most probabley, the cave had been robbed by the locals.