Virli Khandar Excavation

News: Recent excavation at a megalithic site in Virli Khandar has revealed distinctive burial architecture, rare artefacts and unusual pottery arrangements in Vidarbha.

About Virli Khandar Excavation

• It is an ongoing excavation at a megalithic burial site in Virli Khandar that is revealing important details about ancient funerary practices and cultural patterns.
• Location: The site is located in Pauni tehsil of Bhandara district in Maharashtra.
• Period: Preliminary observations suggest a timeline of around 500 BCE (about 2,500 years ago), while radiocarbon dating indicates a broader range from 1000 BCE to 300 CE.
• Key Findings:
  • Distinct Burial Patterns: The site shows a composite megalithic structure with stone circles and menhirs, unlike nearby dolmen burial sites such as Pimpalgaon Nipani and Tirota Kheri.
  • Documented Burials: Researchers have recorded 69 megalithic burials, out of which four are selected for excavation.
  • Significant Artefacts: Important finds include copper necklace, iron tools (axes, chisels, ladles, arrowheads), etched carnelian beads, a gold earring, and bone remains.
  • Unique Pottery Arrangement: Nearly 50 pots were arranged systematically in inverted position, with larger bowls covered by smaller ones.
  • Soil Engineering:
    • The pots were placed over a layer of black cotton soil above the natural lateritic (murum) base.
    • The sticky nature of this soil helped to stabilise the vessels.
    • It kept the pots largely in position despite breakage caused by the weight of the overlying soil.
  • Unusual Practice: Almost all pots were placed upside down, and the reason is still under study.
• Significance: The findings provide fresh insights into megalithic culture and funerary practices in the Vidarbha region.

About Menhirs

• Definition: A menhir is a large, man-made upright stone, usually tapered at the top and erected as a monument.
• Occurrence: Menhirs can be found individually or as part of larger megalithic complexes.
• Uses: Menhirs are intentionally erected by humans as monumental landmarks, often associated with burial or megalithic structures.
• Examples: The Grand Menhir Brisé in France (20.6 m) and Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana, on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list, are notable examples.