Kanmazhu is the Paleolithic weapon recovered from Palakkad river beds. According to the father of primitive history, Robert Bruce Foote, Kerala had no Paleolithic period. However, in the 1970’s Michael Todd, RV Joshi, and P. Rajendran discovered prehistoric monuments. Such monuments are found only in north western India, on the banks of the Beas river and in Deccan.

Edakkal Caves, 8000 years old, is a prehistoric site and petroglyphs. Discovered by a British police officer Fred Fawcett in 1894. It is the only ancient Stone Age carving situated at Ambukuthi Hills, Wayanad, Kerala. Edakkal petroglyphs still exist in Gond tribal paintings in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

On the world map, Malabar is known as a trading centre in the Indian Ocean. It has been a key factor in east-west exchanges throughout history. Long distance interaction between peoples, culture and civilizations stretching from south east to east and South East Africa and the East Mediterranean in the west. This interaction occurred in prehistoric and early historic periods. In addition, it is a world system in which Arabs serve as trading intermediaries. Malabar was initially merely a center, but eventually evolved into one of the world’s major trading centres.

Trade between the Indian subcontinent and the Roman empire in Europe and the Mediterranean sea. Indo-Roman trade developed around Egypt. The main exported items are spices, clothes, pearls, corals, gems and timbers. Muziris was a centre for a booming trade in goods that linked the indigenous worlds of the Graeco-Romans. Pattanam excavation unearthed a seal ring engraved with a sphinx, similar to that worn by the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar about 2000 years ago.
“The Old Testament Bible says that the wood for building Solomon’s place came from Malabar region and the spices, in Mossa’s Seesha were brought from Malabar region.”

Vazhappally Sasanam is the oldest rock inscription found in the state indicating Chera (Kulasekhara-Mahodayapuram) as their capital. This inscription was written in AD 830 and provides valuable insights into the Kulasekhara Dynasty. While other inscriptions begin with “Swathisree” , the Vazhapally inscriptions begin with “Namasivaya”. During this period, Sanskrit words were written in the Grandha alphabet, but the inscription discovered in the state dates back to the 8th century.

Tharisapalli plates are copper plate documents. It is also known as kollam tharisapalli copper plate. This document is the oldest available Chera Perumal inscription. It throws light on the system of taxation that prevailed in early ‘Venad’, as several taxes include professional tax, sales tax, etc.

The Arakkal dynasty is a Muslim dynasty of Kerala which was based in Kannur. For a long time the Arakkal family dominated the city of Kannur and the commercial monopoly of pepper and cardamom in North Malabar. The Arakkal family followed a matriarchal system of descent. The eldest member of the family, whether male or female becomes its head and ruler. While male rulers were called Ali Rajah, female rulers were known as Arakkal Beevis. Arakkal is the one and only Muslim dynasty that has their own flag and coat of arms and motto. The building where the Arakkal museum stands used as the durbar hall and office of the Arakkal dynasty until fifty years ago.

Therukooth is a folk art form inspired by the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Traditionally there are no conversations on therukooth. Songs are the only way to communicate with the audience. Since amplification technology is not used, the artists reach out to the whole crowd by training to sing on their own voice and at a high pitch. Exquisite heavy clothing and elaborate makeup are used by artists. They wear shiny shoulder plates and wide colorful skirts. Traditionally, this form of drama has been performed mainly by men, but in modern times more women have been included.

Dhanvantari is the Hindu god of medicine and the Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The presence of history is marked by the clash of the primitive ocean with the coir Vasuki. This is a serpent that roams over the Mandara Mountains with the gods and demons in search of nectar. Sagittarius means surgery, anta means end. So Dhanvantari is someone who has seen the ups and downs of surgical science.

Pallava architecture represents the earliest stages of Dravidian architecture of the Chola dynasty. The first stone and mortar temples in South India were built during the Pallava rule and are based on ancient brick and timber prototypes. Pallava architecture was sub-divided into two phases: the rock cut phase and the structural phase. The rock cut phase lasted from 610 AD to 668 AD and consisted of two groups of monuments, the Mahendra group and the Mamalla group. The second phase of Pallava architecture is the structural phase when free-standing shrines were constructed with stone and mortar brought in for the purpose. Monuments of this phase are two groups – the Rajasimha group (690 to 800 AD) and the Nandivarman group (800 to 900 AD).

Krishigita contains a wealth of information about the agricultural practices of Malayalam Desam and the nearby regions ( Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) of India. The author of Krishigita is anonymous. Krishigita epitomized the prehistoric equivalent of the present day package of practices, recommendations for crop production. It covers a wide spectrum of crops including cereals, pulses, vegetables ,fruits and nuts grown in Kerala since time immemorial.

In sangam literature, Ancient Kerala was divided into 5 categories based on the topography and availability of food. Specifically, there are five tinais (land): kurinji (hilly/mountainous region), palai (parched/dry lands), mullai (pastoral tract), marutam (wet/agricultural lands), and neital (coastal area). Not just about the tract of land on which they are located but also about the people and animals that live there, the plants, trees, flowers, and all the feelings of the characters in the Sangam Literature Poems

Andallur Kavu is located in Andallur, Thalassery. The temple is believed to have been built by Parasurama in the North Malabar region. Ramayana (Yudha Kandam) is the main myth associated with this temple. The main deities are Rama, Lakshmana & Hanuman. The Daivathar Theyyam here represent Lord Rama, the Athiraalar and Kids Theyyam represent Sita and Lava Kusha. Bhappooran Theyyam here represents Lord Hanuman and Angakkaran for Lakshmana. Ilankuruvan depicts Bali and Pottidi depicts Sugriva. North East Indian tribe Baiga’s tattoos bear a striking resemblance to the face of Daivathar Theyyam.

Jatayu Para has a deep connection with Ramayana. When Ravana kidnapped Sita and boarded the pushpaka vimana, the huge bird Jatayu opposed him and fought hard in order to free Sita. During the battle, Ravana slayed Jatayu’s one wing, which caused the bird to fall over a big rock in Chadayamangalam after being wounded. Originally, the rock was called jatayupara. A monumental statue of the bird Jatayu is being constructed.