Keri: On the lateritic plateau of Paliem village in Pernem, near Pavanwada (Keri) in Arambol, archaeology student Amey Kinjawadekar of Deccan College, Pune, has identified an undocumented megalithic site.Known for sweeping views of the Arabian Sea, hills, laterite cliffs and scrub forest, the plateau was earlier used as a paragliding take-off point. A short wooded trail across the plateau is also popular for sunset walks.During an evening stroll, Kinjawadekar noticed circular stone circles of varying sizes, along with anthropomorphic and other megalithic structures, including dolmens. He said he immediately recognised its archaeological significance and contacted researchers and scholars who confirmed the site’s heritage value.Resident Ladu Kerkar, 77, said the plateau was active about 25 years ago, when farmers cultivated Khochri and Patani paddy varieties and grew horse gram, black gram and finger millet. He said an old shortcut path to Arambol was widely used to carry heavy loads, with “load rests” placed along the route for people to set down their burdens briefly. During the monsoon, he added, the plateau was busy with agricultural activity, but it is rarely visited now.Archaeologist Ravi Korisettar, emeritus fellow in history and archaeology, said Goa needs more intensive prehistoric surveys. Though he surveyed the area in 1990, he did not document the megalithic remains now reported, and welcomed the diversity of monuments being recorded.The plateau between Pavanwada (Keri) and Arambol also has shrines dedicated to local folk deities. The newly reported megalithic monuments are expected to add important new directions to the study of Goa’s archaeology.
