Dannanapeta Megalithic Site near to Amadalavalasa town in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh has a unique and large megalithic complex, which includes a large dolmen, many small cists and innumerable post holes and menhirs. The dolmen is one of the biggest in dimensions, the single capstone on the dolmen weighs up to 50 tonnes and the entire complex makes an extremely interesting and valuable heritage site.
The largest Megalithic dolmen of Early Iron Age
Unfortunately the Government polytechnic college of Amadalavalasa has come up right next to the site and there is a lot of building activity nearby. The site is being vandalized by the villagers for its stones. If urgent measures are not taken to protect the site, it is in danger of total disappearance. Dannanapeta megalithic site has been notified by State Archaeology department in 2011. But, there were no traces of preservation here till now.
As per historians, these megaliths can be dated back between (1000 BCE to 500 BCE), post holes around the dolmens suggest that this place suggests a memorial or worshiping center by the Iron Age man.Small caves which were used for habitation by the Iron Age man were also explored here at Dannanapeta. These caves would have been later occupied by Jain monks between (1st CE to 2nd CE), as the traces of rock beds in the caves and water troughs were observed on the surface of the caves. Prehistoric Rock shelters were also observed here at Dannanapeta.
Prehistoric Caves at Dannanapeta megalithic site
People under the Dolmen, who visited the site, a building construction nearby
Me explaining a team about the usage of Post Holes at the megalithic site
This particular archaeological structure was explored and discovered by a Freelance archaeologist Kadiyala Venkateswara Rao in 2011. The discovery is significant as it is the biggest dolmen measuring 36 X 14 feet with a thickness of two feet, so far not reported from Andhra Pradesh.
As per the observations and information from local's, the historical site is being vandalized on a speed pace as many megaliths were already destroyed and these are being crushed and used for the construction of a building very near to the site. There is an urgency to save and preserve this unique megalithic site to provide evident Historical studies for future generations.
Schematic map of Dannanapeta Megalithic Site
An online petition has been started on for the protection and preservation of this unique megalithic site as an initiative by a team of Historians in North Coastal Andhra.
Visitors of this page please sign the petition below and support us.
Help save our Heritage sites.
Please sign the petition and share.
Click the link below to sign the petition
Help Save and Preserve the unique Megalithic structures
