Megaliths indicate Khasis` presence in Meghalaya since 1200 BC

Megalithic stone structures, and iron implements which dates back to the prehistoric period have been found.

Shillong: Pre-historic megaliths and tools discovered in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district indicate that Khasi tribe, one of the major tribes in the state, had made the state their home since around 1200 BC.

Archaeologist Marco Mitri and a team of academicians from the North Eastern Hills University excavated the archaeological site near Lummawbuh village in the northern slopes of Sohpetbneng (heaven's naval) peak near the NH-40.

Mitri said they found megalithic stone structures, and iron implements which dates back to the prehistoric period in the ridge spreading over 1.5 km.

The excavation at Lummawbuh is the first one of a Neolithic site in Meghalaya.

"We had sent over 20 tools and implements including grains to Beta Analytic, a Miami-based laboratory for radiocarbon dating to confirm their age. The tests confirmed that these were dated to 12th century BC," Mitri told PTI.

The megalithic structures are used in the traditional mortuary practice which was popular among the tribesmen till a few decades ago.

"These Neolithic structures were first discovered in 2004 and it took at least a decade to confirm the existence of a settlement in the area till about 200 years ago," Mitri said.

The British Archaeological Reports had in 2009 published Mitri's work - 'Outline of Neolithic Culture of Khasi and Jaintia Hills' and the archaeologist had also edited a book titled 'Cultural Historical Interaction and the Tribes of North East India' published in 2010.