Consider the following statements regarding the megalithic culture and iron-age burials in ancient Kerala: 1. The urn burial method, locally known as 'Nannangadi', involved interring human remains along with grave goods inside large earthenware jars. 2. Megalithic monuments in Kerala are exclusively found in coastal sandy plains and completely absent from the Western Ghats mountain ranges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because Nannangadis or urn burials are widespread archaeological finds across Kerala containing skeletal remains, iron tools, and pottery. Statement 2 is incorrect because megalithic sites such as rock-cut caves and dolmens are extensively distributed across both the midlands and the high ranges of Wayanad and Idukki. Iron-age technology revolutionized agricultural expansion and forest clearing in ancient Kerala.