Past present continuum: The case of megalithic tradition in Northeast India

Understanding the past cultural history of the ethnic communities has been an arduous task. Anthropological and archaeological sources can provide significant clue to the extinct cultural processes of the region. Megalithic tradition is one such practice which due to its temporal and spatial expansion has considerable significance. Apart from certain societies of northeast India like the Khasis, Nagas and the Karbis the tradition has also survived among certain communities of eastern India and southeast Asian territories. The tradition among the mentioned communities has survived as a commemorative or funerary practice. The ritualistic aspects of the practice also reflect several interesting aspects of the communities. The present paper is an attempt to understand these aspects of the megalithic tradition based on field data supplemented by literary sources.