HYDERABAD: A capstone in the shape of a human body was excavated at Narmeta village, Siddipet district by Telangana State Department of Archaeology and Museums.
This is the largest capstone ever discovered by the department in its 100-year history. It was excavated near an ancient human burial site and is said to be at least 2,750 years old.
Though there was initial euphoria that it was the world’s largest capstone, director of department NR Visalatchy said that it would be premature to say so.
“This capstone is 6.7 metres in length. Usually, they are half or one-third of its size. Only one stone was used for the entire body and another one to cover the head,” Visalatchy said.
The human-shaped stone was found on menhir burial. A crane was brought to lift the capstone. It is expected to weigh around 40 tonnes.
There are 20 more burials at Narmeta which are being excavated. This work was taken up after iron weapons, black-ware pottery, skeletal remains and other samples of megalithic culture were found in Pullurbanda region two years ago.
The present works in Narmeta and Nangunuru were taken up to get more data to validate the findings. The department’s officials said that megalithic burials are usually found in southern India.