‘Megaliths’ are

Correct option is B

Megaliths are large stone structures associated with the burial practices of ancient cultures,
particularly during the Neolithic and Iron Age periods. These structures were used to mark burial sites,
and they often took the form of dolmens, stone circles, cairns, and menhirs. The term ‘megalith’ means
"large stone," and such stones were typically used to cover graves or form commemorative structures for
the deceased. In many parts of the world, including South India, megalithic burials have been found,
reflecting the cultural significance of death and the afterlife. In India, megalithic sites have been found in
areas like Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Some megaliths were built with astronomical alignments,
possibly reflecting the beliefs or knowledge systems of those who constructed them. These burial
practices indicate the growing complexity of human societies, where social hierarchies and rituals for the
dead played an essential role.
Information Booster:
· Megalithic cultures were found across various regions, including Europe, Africa, and India.
· The presence of megaliths suggests a structured social order where burial practices were integral to the culture.
· In some cases, the stones used in megaliths were transported from long distances, indicating the importance of the ritual.
· Megalithic sites are often associated with the Iron Age, marking a transition from simpler to more complex societies.
· The arrangement of megaliths sometimes aligns with celestial events, suggesting knowledge of astronomy.
Additional Knowledge:
· Stone tools used by Paleolithic people were much smaller and simpler, not the large structures associated with megaliths. Paleolithic tools were used for survival tasks, not burial.
· Megaliths are human-made structures and not related to cosmic bodies like comets or asteroids.
· While the Harappan people practiced religion, there is no evidence that megalithic structures were part of their worship practices. The Harappan civilization had its urban-based ritualism, but megaliths are distinct and pertain to burial practices found in different regions and periods.