Hallur
Hallur Neolithic Site · Haveri Hallur
Southern Neolithic (2000–1200) → Iron overlap (1200–500 BCE) → Early Historic·Southern Neolithic → Deccan Megalithic–Iron·🇮🇳 Karnataka, Haveri District, Hirekerur Taluk, on Tungabhadra tributary (Malaprabha plain) near Hallur village, 25 km east of Haveri, India
About
About Hallur
Southern Neolithic–Iron Age transitional town (c.2000 BCE–500 BCE) at Hallur on the Tungabhadra–Malaprabha interfluve near Haveri — excavated 1965–76 by M.S. Nagaraja Rao, the only Southern Neolithic site with continuous Neolithic (2000–1200 BCE) → Megalithic/Iron (1200–500 BCE) overlap, famous for proving iron was first used with Neolithic tools before full Megalithic replacement. Hallur yielded Southern Neolithic grey ware and ash, then earliest iron in the Deccan (1200 BCE) in same levels, plus horse and double-cropped millet–pulse, bridging Brahmagiri and Karnataka Jaina traditions with Early Historic punch-marked coins on top.
Why it mattersEarliest Deccan iron in Neolithic context (1200 BCE) — proves gradual Neolithic→Iron overlap, not replacement; Neolithic continuity key to South Indian Iron Age debate.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why iron appears with Neolithic still — acculturation vs invasion?
Theories
- 01Hallur supports indigenous Deccan iron after Neolithic (Nagaraja Rao model)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2000 BCE Southern Neolithic
- Period
- Southern Neolithic (2000–1200) → Iron overlap (1200–500 BCE) → Early Historic
- Culture
- Southern Neolithic → Deccan Megalithic–Iron
- Builders
- Southern Neolithic millet farmers → Iron-using Megalith builders
- Purpose
- Deccan Neolithic farming village transitioning to iron-Megalithic chieftaincy
- Abandoned
- c.500 BCE (Megalithic dominance)
- Rediscovered
- 1965–76 Nagaraja Rao excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2000–1200 BCE
Neolithic grey ware, ashy pits, cattle, hand-axe industry
c.1200–900 BCE
Overlap: Neolithic tools continue + iron knives/spears earliest Deccan
c.900–500 BCE
Full Megalithic–Iron with BRW and horse
On the ground
Structures & features
14.8300° N · 75.6400° E · 520 m · 2 mapped features
Neolithic–Iron Overlap Horizon
settlementLayer with Neolithic grey ware + iron slag and knife (1200 BCE) in same deposit
14.8305° N · 75.6405° EMegalithic Upper Levels
burialMegalithic BRW and horse burial pits on mound summit
14.8295° N · 75.6395° E