Prehistoric human burial sites unearthed in Telangana's Mulugu district; each capstone weighs approximately 10 to 20 tons

In a significant discovery, a team from the Telangana’s Department of Heritage has found a massive cluster of megalithic human burial sites in Mulugu district, believed to be one of the largest concentrations of dolmen burials in India.

Based on information provided by residents of Motlagudem village in Mulugu district, and the directions of Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, a technical team conducted a field visit to the village.

Located 230 kms from Hyderabad, the human-made burial structures were found in and around Motlagudem village in Mulugu district, an official release said on Thursday (April 2, 2026). They are locally referred to as “Rakasi Bandalu” (giant stones) and “Rakasi Guhalu” (giant caves).

The recently identified ancient human burial sites (in the Godavari river basin) not only confirm the presence of early humans in the region but also serve as valuable historical evidence reflecting their lifestyle, customs, occupations, and social structures, it said.

In the Eturnagaram Scheduled Area in the district, including Damaravai, Rangapuram, and in Mangapet Mandal areas such as Mallur Gutta, Motlagudem, Chettupalli, and Gundala, hundreds of such burial sites have been identified, it said.

The megalithic burial sites in Telangana’s Mulugu are locally referred to as “Rakasi Bandalu” (giant stones) and “Rakasi Guhalu” (giant caves). | Video Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

The burial structures found on Kappalayi Gutta demonstrate the remarkable skill and craftsmanship of ancient humans.

The dolmen burials, constructed using roughly hewn sandstone slabs, extend across areas ranging from 4 to 25 meters. Each structure consists of four large vertical stone slabs with a massive capstone placed on top.

Inside each burial, a small stone trough resembling a sarcophagus is present. Additionally, a vacant space is left in one corner, and the entire structure is enclosed within a circular stone boundary wall of approximately 10 feet in radius, it said.

The distance between individual burial structures ranges from 5 to 100 feet. The layout suggests a well-planned settlement, resembling an organised ancient township. The capstones used for these burials weigh approximately 10 to 20 tons each.

"Spread across nearly 100 acres in the Kappalayi Gutta region, this may be one of the largest clusters of dolmen burials in India, according to the technical team," the release said.

Over time, some of these burial structures have deteriorated, while others have been disturbed due to the use of stone slabs by locals for house construction. Stone troughs found within the burials have been removed for use as water containers for livestock.

These structures, much like the pyramids of Egypt, are believed to reflect a strong belief in life after death and rebirth.

Similar burial traditions are widely found across South India, including in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana, it added.