DOLMENS IN DISTRICT OF QUEPEM, GOA - 17

Five megaliths have been located in the District of Quepem along the Balli-Fatorpa road. Of these, one is intact, two with fallen topping stones and two in ruins.

The dolmen shown in fig.1 is in the center of shops and public structures of the town of Balli, and is the second intact structure to be documented. It is also comparable in dimensions to the one in Cuelim.

The orthostats are parallel and facing the main highway NH17 to its west. From left to right in the photo, these measured 54”x19”x13” (gap 16”); 54”x19”x13” (gap 14”) and 57”x 19”x 13”. Topping stone measured; 85”x18”x13”. The ground level is uneven, thus the apparent variation in height of the orthostats.

Fig.1 15o09’33” N 74o00’92” E elev. 66 ft.

Another is located at Madiemor, Fatorpa, just before the road from Fatorpa to Betul curves southwards. The stones are aligned in EW direction. From left to right the stones measured; 55.5”x20”x13.5’ (gap of 12.5”); 54”x19.5”x12.5” (gap 13.5’) and 53.5”x 20.5”x13.5” . The topping stone appears to have been recently broken into two pieces, as the cracked inner surfaces are lighter in color and no fungal growth.

Fig.2 15o 08’ 87” N 73o 59’ 94” E. elev. 175ft Fig. 3 Another view of the same

The megalith at Bomdamor, west of Balli (fig.4.) is also along the Balli-Fatorpa road, not visible from the road, a little to the interior on a rocky plateau. Three standing orthostats and a fallen topping stone to the side. These appear to be lined up in N-S direction and much shorter, measuring from the one to the north; 47”x22”x15” (gap of 6.5”): 48.5”x23”x15” (gap 4.5”) 48”x22.5”x14”N. It appears that a devotee burnt incense sticks, as seen on the fallen topping stone.

(Note that these stones are much shorter and the gaps narrow to serve as a dohannem or dovornem, for resting the load.)

Fig. 4 15o08’87” N 73o 59’94” E. elev. 175ft

A dolmen in partial ruins (figs. 5/6) is located by the roadside in Adnem, Cumbrashir, Balli. The two standing orthostats measured 53”x22”x12.5” each, with a gap of 6” in between.

Fig. 5. (15o 09’99” N 74o02’21” E) Fig. 6 Another view of the same Fig.7 (15o09’82”N 74o01’ 83”E) Elev. 90ft. stones Elev. 128ft.

In fig. 7, a single orthostat or possibly a topping stone is lying on the ground by

the road side in Velipvadda, Pansal, Balli, measured 68”x19”x14” and some broken ones farther away on a slope.

Note:The writer thanks Bindu Faldessai, a knowledgeable resident of Balli, for helping locate the various

megalithic sites.

© 2018 Themistocles D’Silva