Megaliths At Machad And Pazhayannur, Talppally Taluka, Trichur District, Kerala State - A Report of the Excavations Conducted From 18th April to 12th May 1974 (An Old And Rare Book)

The Department of Archaeology and Ancient History of the M. S. University of Baroda carries on a systematic study of the material culture of India by exploring and excavating ancient sites. It publishes its findings in the M. S. University Archaeology series to provide basic data for further work.

In this series, the present work dealing with the results of the excavations of Megalitis at Machad and Pazhayannur in Kerala is published. These excavations have added significant new data for the study of such monuments.

I am sure the scholars in the field will find this 15th Monograph interesting and valuable.

P. J. MADAN

VICE-CHANCELLOR

The present work is an outcome of the survey conducted by Shri K. M. George for Archaeology of Kerala. Many sites with stone-circles, cists etc., were identified. It was thought that some excavations are essential to understand the inner construction of these monuments. Possibly such a work might lead to some more data about the megalithic monuments. Fortunately, the work carried out in the field by the team consisting of Shri K. M. George, R. J. Khatri and N. M. Khatri proved to be interesting in revealing hitherto unknown facts from this region.

The work was undertaken due to the kind cooperation of the local gentry. We are grateful to Shri C. Chaco, Nellikkal house, Machad for his enlightened cooperation without which the excavation will not have been possible. The assist ance given by Shri N. G. Unnithan, Director of Archaeology, Kerala State and Dr. M.G.S. Narayan, Head, Department of History, Calicut University was a great help. For the analysis of Iron objects, Dr. K.T.M. Hegde gave very valuable guidance. Shri R. J. Khatri, N. M. Khatri and D. B. Panchal were responsible for the drawings and photographs.

We are grateful to Prof. P. J. Madan, the Vice-Chancellor of the M. S. University of Baroda, and Prof. S. M. Sethna, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for their continuous interest in the work. Shri M. N. Deshpande, the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India and Shri B. K. Thapar, the Additional Director General of Archaeological Survey of India gave very useful suggestions for the work. The authors are indebted to the University Grants Commission who gave the financial assistance for the publication of this work.

R. N. MEHTA

K. M. GEORGE

Vadodara,

Shravan, 2034