Marayur dolmen, the historical remains of the megalithic era, are faced with increasing threat of damage despite efforts made in the recent past to protect them from anti-social elements.
The Anchunadu Valley hosts the largest number of dolmen in the State and they are spread over a wide area on the banks of the Pambar and in the forest. The main areas of large-scale concentration of dolmen are Murugan Hills and Pius Nagar. Though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up boards proclaiming these places as archaeologically important sites, anti-social elements have been enjoying free passage through the area and have destroyed the cap stones of many of the dolmen.
The most vulnerable dolmen are in Murugan Hill, said K. Dhanoshkody, who was instrumental in documenting the dolmen and cave paintings in Marayur years ago. Teaming up with researcher Benny Kurien, Dhanushkodi had done his bit to keep the attention of of the outside world riveted on the vast historical remains in Marayur. It was in 2011 that they had discovered some new cave paintings in the forest area of Anchunadu Valley.
History yet to ne traced
Mr. Dhanushkodi said the mystery related to the history of Anchunadu valley is yet to be traced fully. There might be more dolmen and cave paintings still waiting to be unearthed on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. The cave painting depicting a man and a deer on a mighty rock at Ezhuthala about one kilometre in the forest from the Marayur Sandalwood Division office is considered one of the most beautiful cave paintings in the country.
It was Padmanabhan Thampi, as part of his research who found the Ezhuthala and Attala cave paintings in 1970s that led others to study the importance of the historical remains in the Anchunadu Valley. The cave paintings are also facing the threat of damage in the absence of scientific protection over the years.
“Most of the cave paintings are in the forest and the passage of time has caused some damage,” said Mr. Dhanushkodi.
Though hundreds of dolmen were spread over the Valley years ago, only less than 50 are now in proper condition and they too are faced with the threat of damage and ruin. Though visitors arrive at Murugan Hills and Pius Nagar to see the dolmen, they are not guided properly or provided with adequate information about the historical importance of the dolmen. The area should receive greater attention from the ASI and the State government to ensure that they end up as ruins, said Mr. Dhanushkodi.