Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/101

 March, 1873.] CROMLECHS IN MAISUR. 87 The diameter of the orifice, which forma the entrance, is generally about 1 foot 8 inches, and the superincumbent slab projects from 1 to 2 feet over the entrance. On breaking up my camp at Perisandra, and moving across the low range of rocky hills which separate that portion of the Chikka Ballapura taluk from the adjoining taluk of Gudibanda, I caiue across two cromlechs stauding in bold relief on the top of a rocky eminence, looking as if they had formed the altars on which human sacrifices had been offered up to that “ Unknown Being” who has been recognized from the earliest time by the instinctive nature of man as the great Creator and Founder of all things. These were perfectly empty, and of the same size and dimensions as those which I had elsewhere found buried below the sur¬ face of the earth. I found a few similar structures, located in the same manner on a rocky summit, in the depths of the Kurg forests, and only in one place. I then threw out the suggestion that they may have formed sacrificial altars. Further on, by the side of the new road to Gudi¬ banda, I found a few more cromlechs which I had also excavated, and was rewarded by finding a per¬ fectly new form of vessel (figure 16), which was circular at the top and terminated with a sharp point at the bottom. Vessels of the usual shape were also found in them, as also a round vase, which stood 1 foot 8 inches high, and was 4 feet 6 inches in circumference at the centre. The rim forming the mouth was ornamented with three deep¬ ly-cut parallel lines. Whilst at Gudibanda, I discovered the contents of another cromlech, which had evidently been dismantled by the Waddars, or stone-masons, who had worked in that locality for years past. A few feet off the main road, and on a short cut to the village of Wobasandra, the surface was of hard gravel, and I observed that it w*as curiously marked with fine black veins. On examining these finely- drawn lines, it struck me that the shape was like those of the top rims of the vases usually found in cromlechs. I had the earth loosened all round, and found that my conjectures were right. The top and side slabs of the cist had apparently been removed, and the roadway worn down to a level with the mouths of the vessels below. I may add that frag¬ ments of bones were also found in these cromlechs. On approaching the town of Kolar, near the third mile-stone from the place, I observed the circles of stones which indicate the presence of cromlechs, and, on near approach, I found them to be, as usual, in the centre of the circles, with the top flag just visible above the surface. I caused them to be excavated, but found no vessel intact. On the frag¬ ments of the upper portion of the vessels, however, 1 observed more ornamentation than I had ever met with before. I have attempted to delineate them, and it will be observed that they consist of rectan¬ gular or rhomboidal shaped figures caused by lines sunk in the surface of the rims. These rims, I may observe, stand out in relief, and project about $ or j of an inch above the surface, whilst the lozenge¬ shaped figures above or below are sunk in the surface of the vessel. Figure 18 pourtrays an exact fragment, and the lozenge-shaped figures are found above the raised rim, whilst in the others, figures 19 and 20, they are below. Figure 21 had only four lines parallel to each other, with the centre lines closer to each other. I also found in this locality eight small round pieces of the same material as the vessels, much in the shape of medals. The exact size and thickness of each are given in figure 22. Their use can scarce¬ ly he imagined, unless it be assumed that they were used for purposes of counting, and that they had formed the coins of a period when the precious metals were not in use. The only other fragment worth noticing was a short piece of a tube, figure 23, like the neck of a goglet. En route from Kolar and about two miles from the rising town of Bowringpet6, I came across some more of these circles of stone, which usually denote the presence of these strange stone-cists below tho surface. I found here, however, for the first time in Maisur, that the circles were not single, but con¬ sisted of two concentric circles. There were no stone-cists to be found within the circles, and in one alone I found the east slab with the circular orifice, which indicates that the stone Waddars had been at work and carried off the slabs. About two miles further to the east, and near the village of Margal, there were some more cromlechs, in which there were only small fragments of earthen vessels ; but a number of bones and pieces of iron were found. One piece of iron (figure 24) measured 11 inches by inches at the bottom, and evidently formed the end portion of some implement. It was about } of an inch thick in the centre, but had evidently formed a sharp edge at the end. Other fragments of iron were portions of a rod, and looked as if they formed a spear or javelin. The diameter of the smallest circle of stones observed by me was 13 feet, and the largest 24 feet. In these stone chambers was also found a sort of pestle made of soft “ balapam,” or soap stone. Its shape is pourtrayed, half size, in figure 27. The shape would lead us to suppose that it had been used as a pestle ; but it is so exceedingly soft and friable, that portions of itself would be ground up too if used as a pestle. The surface is also smooth to a-degree, and shews that it had not been so used. Held at the thin edge, it might be used as a formi¬ dable weapon of offence for hurling at a foe. There were several fragments of iron weapons (figures 25, 26, 28, and 29) also found, which are given half size. Figure 28 would look like the handle of a dagger. The natives have an idea that the frag¬ ments (figures 25 and 29) formed the iron chuppal or sandal, which, some of them assert, the P&ndus used to wear, though on what authority I cannot find