A previously undocumented megalithic site with stone circles, dolmens and other stone structures has been identified on the Paliem plateau near Arambol in Goa’s Pernem taluka, drawing attention to the need for more intensive archaeological surveys across the state.
The site was identified by Amey Kinjawadekar, an archaeology student at Deccan College, Pune, during an evening walk on the lateritic plateau near Pavanwada in Keri. The plateau overlooks the Arabian Sea and is surrounded by hills, laterite cliffs and scrub forest. It was earlier used as a paragliding take-off point and remains known for a wooded trail used for sunset walks.
Kinjawadekar noticed circular stone formations of different sizes during the walk, along with anthropomorphic and other megalithic structures, including dolmens. He said he recognised their possible archaeological significance and contacted researchers and scholars, who confirmed the heritage value of the remains.
The discovery adds a new set of monuments to a landscape that also contains shrines dedicated to local folk deities. The plateau lies between Pavanwada, also known as Keri, and Arambol, an area where laterite terrain, scrubland, agricultural traces and local religious sites overlap.
Local resident Ladu Kerkar, 77, said the plateau had been more actively used around 25 years ago. Farmers cultivated Khochri and Patani paddy varieties there and also grew horse gram, black gram and finger millet. He recalled an old shortcut to Arambol that was used to carry heavy loads, with “load rests” placed along the route so people could set down their burdens briefly.
Kerkar said agricultural activity on the plateau was especially visible during the monsoon, although the area is now rarely visited. The account places the newly reported monuments within a lived landscape that has supported farming, movement and local cultural practices, rather than treating the site as an isolated archaeological feature.
Archaeologist Ravi Korisettar, emeritus fellow in history and archaeology, said Goa required more intensive prehistoric surveys. Korisettar had surveyed the area in 1990 but did not document the megalithic remains now reported. He welcomed the diversity of monuments being recorded in the state.
The identification has not been accompanied in the supplied report by details of a formal state notification, boundary demarcation, conservation plan or access restrictions. The site’s future protection will therefore depend on how the relevant authorities document and assess the remains, particularly in a landscape used for walking, recreation and local access.
The newly reported stone circles and dolmens are expected to open new directions for the study of Goa’s archaeology. Further archaeological documentation and survey work will determine the extent and character of the megalithic remains on the Paliem plateau.
