MANGALAM KAP (Cave at)
11.416700,76.166700
Description
»The only prehistories found in this district which form part of my collection are ... and a couple of beads. For … [these] I am indebted to Mr. Fred. Fawcett, Deputy Inspector General, Madras Police (retired). … Mr. Fawcetts beads were procured in a cave at Mangalaam Kâp in the Wynad [note 1]. The discovery of the cave as a prehistoric site was made by Mr. C. Mackenzie [note 2]« (FOOTE, R B 1916: VII Malabar District: 64).
NOTE 1: The Wynaad / Wynaad Plateau N11°25': E076°10' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003). NOTE 2: »Mr. C. Mackenzie« (FOOTE, R B 1916) is probably Colin Mackenzie, the coffee estate boss.
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1890: »On a hunting trip to Wayanad in 1890, Fred. Fawcett, the then superintendent of police of the Malabar District, happened to see a Neolithic Celt (stone axe) recovered from the coffee estate of Colin Mackenzie. An enthusiast in prehistory, Fawcett made local enquiries and went round exploring the Wayanad high ranges. In the course of his rambles he was shown the Edakkal rock-shelter. He identified the site as a habitat of Neolithic people on the basis of the nature of representations on the cave walls, which appeared to him as engravings made of Neolithic Celts« (edakkal.com accessed 02.01.2004).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23.8 | TOBERIMALA SHELTER | ||
| 23.9 | KETAYANTUR CAVE | ||
| 24.4 | Edakkal Cave 1 | ||
| 24.4 | Edakkal Cave 2 | ||
| 24.4 | Edakkal Cave 3 | ||
| 30.6 | Pazhassi Raja (Cave of) | ||
| 33.0 | Palangat Cave | ||
| 33.2 | KALIKAVU | ||
| 36.3 | ERULARS & COOROOMBARS (Caves of the) |