The ancient menhirs of Lianpui village in Mizoram’s Champhai district have been declared a’monument of national importance’ by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The site, which features intricate carvings of pre-Christian Mizo iconography, is a culturally significant archaeological site in the state. The stones, arranged into eight alignments, offer insights into the Mizo people’s cultural practices before the advent of Christianity. The site, which will now receive protection and conservation under central government funding, is expected to boost archaeological tourism in the region. It is the second menhir site in Mizoram to receive national recognition, after Vangchhia, which hosts over 170 engraved menhirs depicting scenes of warriors, hunting, music, and communal legends.
