via Jorunal of Indo-Pacific Archaeology, 22 December 2023: An archaeological survey in Liyai Khullen, Manipur, has documented 554 stone monuments, revealing a pattern of distribution mainly in the habitation area. These monuments, linked to the Poumai Naga’s societal practices, signify higher status and social benefits for their sponsors, reflecting competitive and cooperative aspects of their society. The study highlights the importance of these monuments in understanding the socio-political structure of the village, including the role of wealth and community support in attaining elevated status.
This paper presents the results of a recent archaeological survey undertaken in and around Liyai Khullen, a village inhabited by the Poumai Nagas in India’s Northeast state of Manipur. The survey was conducted in an area of about 16 km² in the hill landscape to a) document the unreported stone monuments and b) understand the indigenous knowledge of the residents. It documented 554 stone monuments and important features on the landscape, such as a renovated ancestral village gate and two sacred stone structures. Mapping these features on the hill landscape has revealed that most stone monuments are located in the habitation area, while a few are located near footpaths between the habitation area and terraced fields. Interviews with the residents who have witnessed and participated in the construction of stone monuments have shed crucial insights into the involved dynamics, which will be helpful for in-depth future investigations.
