KP RAO | University of Hyderabad (original) (raw)

Videos by KP RAO

The short video shows the Winter Solstice as observed at the Megalithic site of Mudumal, which ha... more The short video shows the Winter Solstice as observed at the Megalithic site of Mudumal, which has rows of Menhirs, located in the state of Telangana in India. The site also has a depiction of Ursa Major constellation depicted by group of cup-marks.

67 views

Papers by KP RAO

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2014

Numismatic Digest, 1999

Kottapatnam was a seaport on the east coast of India. The fact that it was trading with China is... more Kottapatnam was a seaport on the east coast of India. The fact that it was trading with China is proved by some finds of Chinese coins at this place. The coin could be dated to Yongle period (1403-24), identified as an issue of the Ming Dynasty emperor Taizong. It is a copper issue with a square hole in the middle. The inscription reads Yongle tongbao.

The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2014

Single hole stone anchors are distributed sporadically on the Indian coasts. One such anchor was... more Single hole stone anchors are distributed sporadically on the Indian coasts. One such anchor was found at Kottapatnam, a port site located on the east coast of peninsular India. The anchor could be dated prior to 16th century AD, as the post ceased to exist after this date.

Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 1996

Port-holes are noticed on megalithic dolmens and cists. There are two types of port-hole, 1. Rou... more Port-holes are noticed on megalithic dolmens and cists. There are two types of port-hole, 1. Round Port-hole and 2. 'U' shaped port-hole. The port-holes are arranged in specific orientations, and there appears to be relation with the celestial objects. Scholars suggested that the port holes were meant to arrange offerings in the graves periodically. Study suggests that the megalithic people had belief in spirits and ghost. The port-holes were arranged to provide access to the spirit or ghost. Passage in front of the port-hole used to be arranged to show the way leading to the port-hole. Some of the ports holes have door slab. A practice which started out of exigency, in course of time is associated with the belief in spirit and ghost.

Sankaram, Recent Researches on Indian Culture, 2000

Explorations conducted in Swarnamukhi and Kalangi river valleys in South India have resulted in t... more Explorations conducted in Swarnamukhi and Kalangi river valleys in South India have resulted in the discovery of several Neolithic, Megalithic and Early historic sites. Some of these sites have mud ramparts. Megalithic burial sites and paintings were also noticed. One of the coastal site, Kottapatnam has yielded southeast Asian stamped ware, Chine coin and Celadon ware, revealing maritime contacts.

AJAYA - SRI Recent Studies in Indology, 1989

The megalithic communities practiced different burial practices. There are single, double and mu... more The megalithic communities practiced different burial practices. There are single, double and multiple interment. The reasons for such practices are varied. Some ceremonial, customary and some exigency. The paper investigates the reasons for these varied reasons.

PURATANA, Emerging Trends in Archaeology, Conservation and Historyrt, Anthropology, , 2002

India has different pottery traditions. Some of the pottery traditions have geographical limitat... more India has different pottery traditions. Some of the pottery traditions have geographical limitations. Some of the south Indian coastal sites have yielded stamped ware. This ware is not locally made. studies reveal that this ware was imported from Southeast Asia due to maritime contacts. The ware reveals southeast Asian contacts since the early centuries before the common ear.

Proceedings of the South Indian History Congress , 2007

Reconstruction of maritime history requires analysis of archaeological evidence in a scientific m... more Reconstruction of maritime history requires analysis of archaeological evidence in a scientific manner. The paper gives examples of use of techniques like NAA, XRD, satellite imageries and use of geological and geographical data.

Agam Kala Prakashan, Delhi, 2012

Gachibowli, an Iron Age megalithic site in South India was excavated by the author in 2004. Thre... more Gachibowli, an Iron Age megalithic site in South India was excavated by the author in 2004. Three burials, all pit burials covered by cap-stone and encircled by stone circle, have yielded secondary human skeletal remains, pottery and iron objects. The site has given the earliest date for iron in India, and also early evidence of millet.

Narasimhapriya: Essays in Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Art, Architecture, Numismatics and Cultural History, 2000

A finely carved Buddha image was found at a small village Kunthuru in the Nellore district of And... more A finely carved Buddha image was found at a small village Kunthuru in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The seated Buddha image has a flaming Ushnisha. It can be assigned to around 12th century CE. This kind are images are not reported from this region earlier. The Prabhavali has makara and floaral designs.

Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 1993

Anthropomorphic statues are found associated with some of the megalithic monuments in south India... more Anthropomorphic statues are found associated with some of the megalithic monuments in south India. Some of these sites can be dated around 800 BCE. These sculptures appear to be the earliest stone carved objects on Indian soil, except the Indus valley figures. Thus this sculptural tradition indicates that south India had stone carving tradition much earlier than the other parts of India.

Proceedings of the Pondicherry History Congress, 1997

Arikamedu was excavated several times. The site has yielded some stamped ware, which has not be... more Arikamedu was excavated several times. The site has yielded some stamped ware, which has not been properly identified earlier. The ware has very close similarity with the ware from Southeast Asia. This indicates that Arikamedu was having trading contacts with Southeast Asia.

Visvambhara: Probings in Orientology, 1995

Megalithic graves contain skeletal remains of the animals. These remains are placed deliberately... more Megalithic graves contain skeletal remains of the animals. These remains are placed deliberately as offerings. They are also sacrificed as part of the rituals. Animal remains of the horses, cattle, sheep, pig, monkey, etc. were reported. Probably, some magico-religious rituals were involved. They also suggest the attachment and economic role of the animals during megalithic period.

TRC Journal of Telangana Studies, 2019

South India has numerous megalithic sites. Some of the Megalithic monuments contain cup-marks, wh... more South India has numerous megalithic sites. Some of the Megalithic monuments contain cup-marks, which are reported from various parts of India. Some of these cup-marks could be related to the astronomical features like the constellations. Ursa Major constallation has been identified at a site known as Mudumal. Further burial pits and Menhirs are known to align either in exact cardinal directions, or sometimes correspond to the direction of the Sun on the days of Solstice and Eqinox. The study suggests the possibility of looking at the some of the Indian megaliths in Astronomical perspective.

Copper Hoard Swords from Karempudi: A New Discovery from Andhra Pradesh, 2015

The paper relates to the discovery of copper hoard swords from Karempudi in the Guntur district o... more The paper relates to the discovery of copper hoard swords from Karempudi in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, south India. Occurrence of Copper Hoards in south India are very rare, and in this context the present find is very significant. The swords are the well known 'antenna swords' with mid rib. One of the bigger sword has two rows of antenna.

The short video shows the Winter Solstice as observed at the Megalithic site of Mudumal, which ha... more The short video shows the Winter Solstice as observed at the Megalithic site of Mudumal, which has rows of Menhirs, located in the state of Telangana in India. The site also has a depiction of Ursa Major constellation depicted by group of cup-marks.

67 views

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2014

Numismatic Digest, 1999

Kottapatnam was a seaport on the east coast of India. The fact that it was trading with China is... more Kottapatnam was a seaport on the east coast of India. The fact that it was trading with China is proved by some finds of Chinese coins at this place. The coin could be dated to Yongle period (1403-24), identified as an issue of the Ming Dynasty emperor Taizong. It is a copper issue with a square hole in the middle. The inscription reads Yongle tongbao.

The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2014

Single hole stone anchors are distributed sporadically on the Indian coasts. One such anchor was... more Single hole stone anchors are distributed sporadically on the Indian coasts. One such anchor was found at Kottapatnam, a port site located on the east coast of peninsular India. The anchor could be dated prior to 16th century AD, as the post ceased to exist after this date.

Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 1996

Port-holes are noticed on megalithic dolmens and cists. There are two types of port-hole, 1. Rou... more Port-holes are noticed on megalithic dolmens and cists. There are two types of port-hole, 1. Round Port-hole and 2. 'U' shaped port-hole. The port-holes are arranged in specific orientations, and there appears to be relation with the celestial objects. Scholars suggested that the port holes were meant to arrange offerings in the graves periodically. Study suggests that the megalithic people had belief in spirits and ghost. The port-holes were arranged to provide access to the spirit or ghost. Passage in front of the port-hole used to be arranged to show the way leading to the port-hole. Some of the ports holes have door slab. A practice which started out of exigency, in course of time is associated with the belief in spirit and ghost.

Sankaram, Recent Researches on Indian Culture, 2000

Explorations conducted in Swarnamukhi and Kalangi river valleys in South India have resulted in t... more Explorations conducted in Swarnamukhi and Kalangi river valleys in South India have resulted in the discovery of several Neolithic, Megalithic and Early historic sites. Some of these sites have mud ramparts. Megalithic burial sites and paintings were also noticed. One of the coastal site, Kottapatnam has yielded southeast Asian stamped ware, Chine coin and Celadon ware, revealing maritime contacts.

AJAYA - SRI Recent Studies in Indology, 1989

The megalithic communities practiced different burial practices. There are single, double and mu... more The megalithic communities practiced different burial practices. There are single, double and multiple interment. The reasons for such practices are varied. Some ceremonial, customary and some exigency. The paper investigates the reasons for these varied reasons.

PURATANA, Emerging Trends in Archaeology, Conservation and Historyrt, Anthropology, , 2002

India has different pottery traditions. Some of the pottery traditions have geographical limitat... more India has different pottery traditions. Some of the pottery traditions have geographical limitations. Some of the south Indian coastal sites have yielded stamped ware. This ware is not locally made. studies reveal that this ware was imported from Southeast Asia due to maritime contacts. The ware reveals southeast Asian contacts since the early centuries before the common ear.

Proceedings of the South Indian History Congress , 2007

Reconstruction of maritime history requires analysis of archaeological evidence in a scientific m... more Reconstruction of maritime history requires analysis of archaeological evidence in a scientific manner. The paper gives examples of use of techniques like NAA, XRD, satellite imageries and use of geological and geographical data.

Agam Kala Prakashan, Delhi, 2012

Gachibowli, an Iron Age megalithic site in South India was excavated by the author in 2004. Thre... more Gachibowli, an Iron Age megalithic site in South India was excavated by the author in 2004. Three burials, all pit burials covered by cap-stone and encircled by stone circle, have yielded secondary human skeletal remains, pottery and iron objects. The site has given the earliest date for iron in India, and also early evidence of millet.

Narasimhapriya: Essays in Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Art, Architecture, Numismatics and Cultural History, 2000

A finely carved Buddha image was found at a small village Kunthuru in the Nellore district of And... more A finely carved Buddha image was found at a small village Kunthuru in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The seated Buddha image has a flaming Ushnisha. It can be assigned to around 12th century CE. This kind are images are not reported from this region earlier. The Prabhavali has makara and floaral designs.

Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 1993

Anthropomorphic statues are found associated with some of the megalithic monuments in south India... more Anthropomorphic statues are found associated with some of the megalithic monuments in south India. Some of these sites can be dated around 800 BCE. These sculptures appear to be the earliest stone carved objects on Indian soil, except the Indus valley figures. Thus this sculptural tradition indicates that south India had stone carving tradition much earlier than the other parts of India.

Proceedings of the Pondicherry History Congress, 1997

Arikamedu was excavated several times. The site has yielded some stamped ware, which has not be... more Arikamedu was excavated several times. The site has yielded some stamped ware, which has not been properly identified earlier. The ware has very close similarity with the ware from Southeast Asia. This indicates that Arikamedu was having trading contacts with Southeast Asia.

Visvambhara: Probings in Orientology, 1995

Megalithic graves contain skeletal remains of the animals. These remains are placed deliberately... more Megalithic graves contain skeletal remains of the animals. These remains are placed deliberately as offerings. They are also sacrificed as part of the rituals. Animal remains of the horses, cattle, sheep, pig, monkey, etc. were reported. Probably, some magico-religious rituals were involved. They also suggest the attachment and economic role of the animals during megalithic period.

TRC Journal of Telangana Studies, 2019

South India has numerous megalithic sites. Some of the Megalithic monuments contain cup-marks, wh... more South India has numerous megalithic sites. Some of the Megalithic monuments contain cup-marks, which are reported from various parts of India. Some of these cup-marks could be related to the astronomical features like the constellations. Ursa Major constallation has been identified at a site known as Mudumal. Further burial pits and Menhirs are known to align either in exact cardinal directions, or sometimes correspond to the direction of the Sun on the days of Solstice and Eqinox. The study suggests the possibility of looking at the some of the Indian megaliths in Astronomical perspective.

Copper Hoard Swords from Karempudi: A New Discovery from Andhra Pradesh, 2015

The paper relates to the discovery of copper hoard swords from Karempudi in the Guntur district o... more The paper relates to the discovery of copper hoard swords from Karempudi in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, south India. Occurrence of Copper Hoards in south India are very rare, and in this context the present find is very significant. The swords are the well known 'antenna swords' with mid rib. One of the bigger sword has two rows of antenna.

Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) located in South India has numerous megalithic sites. The r... more Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) located in South India has numerous megalithic sites. The region has revealed megaliths of significant and unique characteristics. The monuments have revealed archaeoastronomical features, including earliest depiction of Ursa Major constellation. The region also has the earliest stone carving tradition from India. The stone sarcophagi is found only in Khammam and Warangal districts.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in South India have numerous megalithic sites. The region also show... more Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in South India have numerous megalithic sites. The region also shows great variety in megalithic types. The region has given one of the earliest date for iron in India, which has come from a megalith. There are megalithic monuments with unique features. The stone sarcophagus and trimmed stone circles are found only in this region. The region also has largest number of anthropomorphic statues. These statues are the earliest stone carved figures from India. Some of the megalithic sites also indicate astronomical features. The earliest depiction of Ursa Major from south Asia comes from this region.