In News:

A team of history and archaeology scholars and students from the University of Mysore have embarked on an excavation of megalithic burial sites in Chamarajanagar district.

• Location: Doddalathur village, Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, situated in a valley by the Male Mahadeshwara Hill ranges.
• Team: A group of history and archaeology scholars and students from the University of Mysore, in collaboration with the Mythic Society, Bengaluru.
• Excavation Focus: Exploration of megalithic burial sites corresponding to the Iron Age (approximately 1200 BC to 300 CE).
• Site Features:
  • Burials consist of circles made of large boulders, referred to as "megalithic."
  • A small hillock is located to the west of the village.
• Historical Significance:
  • The site was discovered by C. Krishnamurti of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1961.
  • Originally contained over 1,000 burials, many of which have been lost due to agricultural expansion and development.
  • Despite disturbances, many burials remain intact and are considered suitable for excavation.
• Goals of the Project:
  • To enhance understanding of megalithic-Iron Age culture in southern Karnataka's hilly regions.
  • To provide practical field training for archaeology students.