A team of archaeologists has found a centuries old menhir at Singaripalayam near Kundadam in the district. It points to the existence of an ancient settlement along the banks of River Uppar.

The menhirs are upright monumental stones erected in prehistoric times in memory of local heroes.

The 300-cm-tall menhir is surrounded by cairns, which are a mound of rough stones placed as memorial in the ancient era.

“The menhir and the cairns clearly point to the evidence of an ancient settlement that existed in the area almost 2,300 years ago. These stones are identified from its shape and other parameters. Monumental stones that are erected prior to the said era, called dolmens, have slightly different shape,” explained S. Ravikumar, one of the archaeologists.

K. Ponnusamy, another team member, added that the purpose of erecting monumental/memorial stones such as menhir is mentioned in Sangam literature.

Interestingly, people who came later erected an enclosure around the menhir and it became a place of worship. “Some people are even now offering puja on occasions without knowing that it is a menhir with a rich historical importance,” said Mr. Ravikumar.