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 Heritage Department has found a huge cluster of megalithic human burial grounds in the Mulugu district, believed to be one of the largest dolmen tombs in India.

In line with the information provided by the residents of Motlagudem village in Mulugu district and the instructions of Special General Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, a technical team carried out a field visit to the village.

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

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, traditions, occupations and social structure.

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

Megalithic burial sites in Mulugu of Telangana are locally referred to as “Rakasi Bandalu” (giant stones) and “Rakasi Guhalu” (giant caves). | Video Credit: BY EDIT

The tomb structures found at Kappalayi Gutta demonstrate the extraordinary skill and craftsmanship of ancient people.

Constructed using roughly hewn sandstone slabs, dolmen tombs span areas ranging from 4 to 25 metres. Each structure consists of four large vertical stone slabs with a huge capstone placed on top.

Inside each burial there is a small stone trough resembling a sarcophagus. In addition, it was stated that an empty space was left in one corner and the entire structure was surrounded by a circular stone boundary wall with a radius of approximately 10 feet.

The distance between individual burial structures varies from 5 to 100 feet. The plan brings to mind a well-planned settlement resembling an orderly ancient city. Each of the capstones used in these tombs weighs approximately 10 to 20 tons.

“Spreading over an area of ​​approximately 100 acres in the Kappalayi Gutta area, according to the technical team, this may be one of the largest dolmen tombs in India,” the statement said.

Over time, some of these tomb structures deteriorated, and some of them deteriorated because the local people used the stone slabs in house construction. The stone troughs found in the graves were removed to be used as water containers for animals.

These structures, which are very similar to the Egyptian pyramids, are believed to reflect the strong belief in the afterlife and rebirth.

Similar burial practices are reported to be common in Southern India, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana.