7,000 Year Old Megalithic Site In South Asia Located Near Hyderabad

The most significant archaeological findings of 7,000-year-old megalithic site that served as an astronomical observatory has been found in Muduma village of Mahbubnagar in Telangana, India.

It is one of its kind of megalithic site in South Asia located near Hyderabad.

The team of archeologists described it as  ''the only megalithic site in India, where a depiction of a star constellation has been identified''. 

Prof KP Rao,History Professor of University of Hyderabad who has been conducting research at the site for the past 12 years said that usually they come across depiction of either sun, moon or few stars in the ancient paintings or rock bruisings. Depiction of a constellation of stars has so far not been noticed anywhere in India. It may be noted here that this depiction is the earliest sky chart noticed anywhere in south Asia so far.

This megalithic site which is expected to be around 3,000-years-old, there are 80 Menhirs (standing stone) which are of 10 to 12 feet high and around 2,000 smaller stones which are 30-60cm tall are arranged in alignment.

 One of the surprising details discovered at the site is a depiction of the constellation known as Ursa Major, which is formed from small cup-sized pits carved into a standing stone. The group of about 30 cup-marks were arranged in the same shape in which Ursa Major can be observed in the night sky with the naked eye. 

 Prof KP Rao also said the arrangement might be related to death rites and those who constructed the site seem to have some belief in orienting these monuments in particular direction.