Landscape Preference and Spatial Organisation of Megalithic Cemeteries in the North‐Eastern Vindhyas, India: A GIS‐Based Analysis

ABSTRACT

The north‐eastern Vindhyan Highlands contain a substantial assemblage of megalithic burial monuments in northern India, yet the topographic, hydrological and spatial relationships of these cemeteries remain poorly understood. This study investigates the landscape context and spatial organisation of six megalithic cemetery complexes using an integrated geographic information system (GIS)–based approach. A total of 1267 systematically documented megalithic monuments were analysed using digital elevation model (DEM), slope analysis, Kernel density estimation (KDE), average nearest neighbour (ANN) statistics, distance‐to‐drainage analysis and viewshed modelling to examine topographic setting, spatial clustering, hydrological relationships and theoretical visibility. The analyses show that the documented monuments are concentrated mainly at intermediate elevations (110‐ to 130‐m AMSL), particularly across sandstone uplands, and on gently sloping terrain (2°–10°), while valley floors and steeper slopes are less represented in the surveyed dataset. KDE identifies discrete areas of higher monument concentration, and ANN indicates statistically significant clustering within the surveyed cemetery extents. Distance‐to‐drainage analysis indicates spatial associations between the cemetery complexes and seasonal drainage systems, with the channels occurring within the 100‐ to 700‐m distance intervals from the respective cemetery reference points. Viewshed modelling indicates substantial theoretical visibility of the documented monuments from associated habitation areas. The results identify recurring spatial associations among monuments, topography, drainage and habitation, while not demonstrating environmental preferences or causal determinants of cemetery placement. The study provides a regional GIS‐based assessment of megalithic landscape organisation in the Vindhyas and establishes a spatial baseline for future archaeological survey and prospection and heritage research.