1880.] B. BranfiU— i^Mt/e Ilegalithic 3Ionuments in North Arcot. 9 



The whole forms an imposing structure, and recalls the idea of a small 

 citadel or fortification. 



There are many examples, perhaps a score or more of this pattern, still 

 partly standing, and about as many more of a very similar kind, only with- 

 out the round-headed projections, all the slabs in each ring or tier being of 

 the same height, about 7 feet above ground level, and completely hiding 

 the enclosed kistvaen. 



Dividing the tombs into three classes according to size, and counting 

 the fallen and half buried, as well as those standing, there are 170 of the 

 1st or biggest, 210 of the 2nd, and 200 of the 3rd or smallest sort, a simple 

 kist composed of slabs from 2 feet square and upwards, more or less buried 

 in the earth, and without any enclosing walls or circle of stones remaining. 



Most of the tombs in this ne/cropolis are much ruined and overgrown 

 by jungle so that I suppose there may well have been many more than 600 

 tombs here, within a space 500 yards long and 300 wide. The interments 

 have but a shallow covering of soil, sometimes less than one foot. 



On excavating they were found to yield the usual sepulchral I'elics, ex- 

 cept that iron weapons were very scarce or entirely absent, whilst the terra- 

 cotta coffers were more abundant than in the similar tombs of Mysore. In 

 one, a few ornamental beads, similar to some taken out of the Coorg tombs, 

 were found lying near the remains of a human skull. 



Some of the coffers, sepulchral troughs or trays, were ornamented 

 with a chain ornament in festoons and furnished with projecting rings or 

 loops and prominent hooks, as if to hang garlands on. Some were mere small 

 flat oval troughs, whilst others ranged up to 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 

 high, and were furnished with four or five pairs of legs 



Perhaps however I need only further mention the chief novelty that 

 struck me, and this may be no novelty to others. 



Two or three Tamil letters were found scratched on a fragment of a 

 little bowl. They seem to spell the words saduma or clmtlmm or cliadiul ; 

 the final letter ( ? m) is very doubtful and may be intended for a terminal 

 d or t, if that were admissible. 



I have some rough notes and sketches of a few of the monuments, but 

 had no leisure to explore further. A careful collection and close scrutiny 

 of every fragment of the pottery (which is abundant and of the rude but 

 antique and polished kind) would probably yield some valuable and curious 

 information as to the habits, &c. of the tomb builders. 



The locality has a bad character for being feverish and is in a very 

 retired part of the country just above the Eastern Ghats. 



The way to it lies through Chittur and Palmaneri whence there is a 

 good road for 15 miles co the S. W. to Baireddipalle, and thence a bridle 

 path for G miles via Neilipatla to Bapanattam. The nearest name marked 



