Ancient terracotta figurines have been found during archaeological exploration from the megalithic dolmen site near Moodbidri.
Key points
- Archaeological explorations from the megalithic dolmen site at Mudu Konaje near Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada have found unique terracotta figurines in various states of being along with bone and iron fragments.
- These statues appear to be from 800-700 BC.
- Of these eight idols, there are two cows, a mother goddess, two peacocks, a horse, a hand of the mother goddess and an unknown object.
- The megalithic site at Mudu Konaje was discovered by historian and researcher Pundikai Ganapayya Bhat in the 1980s.
- It was the largest megalithic dolmen site consisting of nine dolmens on the slope of a stone hill.
- But only two dolmens are safe and the rest of the tombs are ruined.
- The megalithic culture in India is known for its use of iron.
- Cow breeds found in dolmen help determine the chronology of the dolmen.
- Terracottas found in megalithic cemeteries provide a solid foundation for the study of ghost cult or divine worship in coastal Karnataka.
- The cow goddess had parallels in the Malampuzha megalithic terracotta sculptures of Kerala and Egypt.
- One of the two cows is a solid handmade human body with a bull’s head and measures approximately 9 cm in height and 5 cm in width.
- The second cow bovine is another solid handmade figurine measuring approximately 7.5 cm in height and 4 cm in width.
- One of the two peacocks is a solid peacock measuring approximately 11 cm in height and 7 cm in width.
- Another peacock’s long head is made separately, which can be inserted into the shallow body.