The Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) in association with MES College, Nedumkandam, has started a project to identify and protect the Megalithic era sites in the district.
As part of it, a two-day exploration of the region intended to record the sites and remains of the pre-historic era, including dolmens, veerakallu and sites of burial urns, was held.
The team visited 20 sites, including those reported earlier and unreported so far.
The GPS location, photographs and descriptive visuals were collected.
Main sites
It was noticed that the main historical sites were at Njarukulam, Anappara, Hydermettu, Puzhpakandam, Khajanapara and Munipara. The preliminary survey had underscored the archaeological richness of the region and further explorations would be held with the support of experts, said Sunish Konattu, academic co-ordinator of the project.
It was also found that many sites of historical importance were facing decay due to lack of measures for scientific protection and intervention by local people who were not aware of their importance.
Joint initiative
KCHR chairman P.K. Micheal Tharakan took the initiative to start the exploration and a project was drawn in association with the history department of the college. Research officer Racheal A. Varghese, archaeological researcher Sarathchandran, faculty members and students took part in the preliminary exploration.