The Megalithic Cultural Remains in Myanmar

By : Win Kyaing

Page No: 37-53

Abstract
Classification of megalithic remains in Myanmar relies upon establishing a firm chronology for the Late Holocene of Neolithic to Early Historic periods. This paper focuses on defining phases within the Chalcolithic to Neolithic, dating to circa the first millennium BCE. The paper opens with a summary of the history and chronology on this era followed by descriptions of the relevant Chalcolithic and Neolithic sites and a typology of menhirs. The next section of the paper discusses the megalithic remains at known sites. The paper concludes with a discussion of the northern and southern Chin areas adjacent to Manipur where megaliths continue to be used to this day. These suggest links and possibly cultural diffusion from the Northeastern India to Myanmar.

Author:
Win Kyaing
Director and Principal Field School of Archaeology (Pyay)