RAMULAKONDA CAVES

Location

Unspecified »caves [note 1] without paintings and sculptures« seem, at least at a first glance, to consist of man-man rock chambers but may refer to a natural cave or rock shelterSITUATION: Probably somewhere south of Channekottapalle (Chennekottapalle), headquarters of the »Chennekothapalli taluk« (note 2), and »on top of Ramulakonda hill in village Masanakota [note 3]. The hill has a fortification wall and a few caves« (Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] 1980-81 / 1983: 89). CAVE DESCRIPTION: Looking through the lense of a registring officer, the »caves« (or so) are »without paintings and sculptures« but »A few polished stone adzes were recovered from a cave called –>Ramulagudi« (Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] 1980-81 / 1983: 89). CULTURAL HISTORY -- archaeology: »Between the two hills Ramulakonda and Durgamkonda an ancient site was discovered yielding red and black ware« (Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] 1980-81 / 1983: 89). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 28/02/2016

NOTE 1: »caves« (Indo-English) is often applied to one single cave, rock shelter or man-man rock chamber which, in cases, may have more than one compartment, entrance, niche, or the like. NOTE 2: Channekottapalle (India Road Atlas, Eicher Goodearth 2006: 108 A5) or Chennekothapalli (Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] 1980-81 / 1983: 89) and Chennekottapalle (N14°16': E077°38' Survey of India 1974 toposheet 57-F/11), a populated place on the National Highway NH7, lies on the Ajanta Plateau and about 45 km in a direct line south of Anantapur (N14°41': E077°36'). Not to be confused with Chinnekuntapall or Chinnekuntapalle (India Road Atlas, Eicher Goodearth 2006: 108 A4), the railway station (N14°27': E077°52') about 40 km in a direct line south-east of Anantapur (N14°41': E077°36') NOTE 4: »Masanakota« (Indian Archaeology: A Review [IAR] 1980-81 / 1983: 89) is not identified. Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 28/02/2016