MEGALITHIC HEAD MENHIR OF KARKABHAT

THE PROFILE OF A HUMAN HEAD IN THE FORM OF A MEGALITH IN KARKARBHAT

In Durg district of Chattisgarh lies large megalithic sites scattered to about 10 sq kms which probably dates back to 2000 to 1500 BC. Among them one of the most major sites is in Karkabhat which is on the Balod Dhamtari road. On the either sides of the road one can see menhirs of different sizes of which most of them are in ruinous condition.The place is surrounded by Sorar, Nahanda and Kandewada villages.The predominant tribals who reside in the area are the megalithic Baigas.

Dr.A.K.Sharma, the main excavator of the site states that as the site yielded no burials the menhirs  must be memorials. The site revealed iron objects like daggers, blades, arrow heads, spikes and spear heads and a single plough-share. Copper bangles, silver and gold rings were also excavated.

THE HUMAN HEAD :

The most outstanding menhir here is a profile of a human head positioned in the middle of a cairn mound.. The menhir stands to a height of about 2.57 mtrs and with a width of around 1.91 mtrs. The monument is placed on a  North-South orientation which is the position of the dead hence the megalith must be a memorial of some significant person, someone like a priest of the tribe.

The head has a large temple, sharp pointed nose, prominent opened lips and knotted hair as a local Baiga tribal priests sports.

The site is an archaeological treasure house. Dr.Sharma believes that the site may have had about 4000 burials tombs. Two habitation centers have also been located in here. In the vicinity two rock shelters  of Paleolithic/Mesolithic periods have also been discovered which have revealed microliths. More than that ruined temples, traces of ancient mounds, potsherds from the megalithic to the historical period have also been traced. Terracotta objects, ornaments, beads, gold, iron and copper objects and microliths have also been unearthed from various spots around here.

The above head has uncanny resemblence with the numerous Avebury heads discovered by the archaeologist and author Dr.Terence Meaden of Oxford University. His book "THE SECRETS OF THE AVEBURY STONES" reveals many such heads in the Avebury megaliths. 

Dr.MEADEN'S BOOK'S COVER SHOWS THE PROFILE OF ONE  HUMAN HEAD  ON AVENURY MEGALITHS

As luck would have it I too had the chance to discover a head in Jabra Road. The small riddle stone/Venus of Banha http://www.megalithsindia.in/2011/10/venus-of-banha.html too has a few human profiles. How old this small riddle stone with these profiles would be, I have no answer to it.

ONE OF THE HUMAN PROFILES IN THE TINY VENUS OF BANHA STONE

SOURCES:
1. My personal interaction with Dr.A.K.Sharma at my home.
2. Website of  Culture and Archaeology. Govt of Chhattisgarh.
3.B.K.Thapar and A.K.Sharma: Indian megaliths in Asia Context. National Museum. New Delhi.