Preliminary Archaeological Survey in the Salangthel Hill in Manipur, India

Abstract

An archaeological survey was conducted in the Salangthel Hill, in Manipur (India), in 2019 to assess the nature of material records. The survey documented megaliths and engraved marks on stones such as footprints, female genital organs, and depressed marks, some of which were previously reported but also include documentation of unreported features such as a rock pool. The survey reveals that three ethnic communities settled near the vicinity assert their claims to these stone monuments as legacies of their ancestors. It shows that several stone monuments were destroyed recently due to ethnic tension and construction activities, particularly road cutting and house building. These new findings will be of interest to archaeologists working in the region and policymakers in general.