Ancient Tamilakam refers to the Sangam period territory of southern India between the 3rd century BCE and 4th century CE. Megalithic monuments from this period include urn burials marked with large stones, as well as structures like stone circles, dolmens, cists, rock chambers, tomp stones, and menhirs. Archaeological findings at these sites have uncovered iron tools, pottery, beads and other artifacts that provide insight into the history and Iron Age culture of ancient Tamilakam. Numerous megalithic sites have been discovered across southern India, including at locations like Kodumanal, Alagarai, and Thirukambaliyoor.

1. SUBMITTED BY
SHAMNA M
SOCIAL SCIENCE
ICT BASED LESSON TEMPLATE
MAGALITHICMONUMENTSIN ANCIENT
TAMILAKAM

2. Ancient Tamilakam
• Tamilakam or AnciENT Tamil country refers
to the sangam period (3rd centuary BCE-4th
centuary CE) territory of old south Indian
kingdoms covering modern Tamilnadu ,
Kerala and southern parts of
Andrapradesh , Karnataka

3. MEGALITHIC MONUMENTS
•The practice of burying the remains of
the deceased by placing them it in a big
urn prevailed in ancient Tamilakam.
Such urns were known as urn burials.
•In some areas big stones were placed
above such urn burials.
•Locally available stones were used for
this.

4. Stone circle
Dolmen
Cist
Rock chamber
Thoppikkallu ( Tomp stone )
Kudakkallu(Umbrella stone)
Sarcophogus
Menhir
Important Megalithic
Monuments

5.  Thoppikkallu ( Tomp stone )
 Kudakkallu(Umbrella stone)
 Sarccophogus
 Menhir

6. Dolmens

7. Thoppikkallu

8. Nannangadi

9. Kudakkallu

10. Major sources of information on the
History of Ancient Tamilakam
Megalithic Monuments
Ancient Tamil songs
Coins
Travelogues
Tamil iinscriptions

11. Different types of iron tools have been
discovered from this megalithic
monuments
.
Sword
Spear
Knife
Hook
Lamp
Nail

12. • Different types of iron tools have been
discovered from this megalithic
monuments
• That’s why this period is known as the
Iron Age in South Indian History.
• Besides iron tools, clay, pots, beads,
etc. were also discovered from a
monuments. Black and red wares were
used in that period.

13. Many megalithic monuments have been
found from different parts of South
India
Kodumanal
Alagarai
Thirukambaliyoor
Pazhani

14. Adichenellur
Charamanangad
Umichipoyil
Marayoor