Discovery of a 5,000-Year-Old Rock Art Site in Telangana

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Relevance:
TGPSC Paper–II — History, Culture and Geography

Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:

For Prelims:

Rock Art, Mesolithic Period, Microlithic Culture, Red Ochre Pigments, Veladri Hills, Bainedu Banda, Prehistoric Art, Anthropomorphic Figures, Upper Palaeolithic, Rock Shelters, Tiger Footprints in Rock Art

For Mains:

Cultural Heritage Conservation, Prehistoric Human Life, Early Human–Nature Relationship, Archaeological Preservation, State-led Heritage Protection, Significance of Rock Art in Understanding Human Evolution

Why in News?

A new prehistoric rock art site, estimated to be over 5,000 years old, has been discovered at Veladri Hills in Khammam district, Telangana. The discovery adds to the growing list of prehistoric cave shelters in the State and provides fresh insights into the cultural and ecological world of early human communities.

What Was Discovered?

Heritage officials, with the help of local villagers, identified a cluster of nearly 10 cave shelters, locally called Bainedu Banda, containing multiple prehistoric paintings. These artworks belong to the Mesolithic or Microlithic period (10,000 BCE–3,000 BCE) and represent one of the oldest evidence of human artistic expression in the region.

Features of the Rock Art

The newly discovered paintings showcase a vibrant range of motifs and figures, including:

Human figures with elongated bodies and raised hands
Hand impressions
Animals (deer, reptiles)
Tiger footprints
Honey bees and naturalistic depictions of fauna
Geometric patterns
Anthropomorphic forms

These paintings were made using red ochre, a naturally occurring iron-rich pigment commonly used in prehistoric art across the world. Their stylistic features align with known Mesolithic artistic traditions.

Archaeological Importance of the Site

According to heritage officials, the site:

Offers clues about early human lifestyles, hunting patterns, and ritual behaviours.
Reflects a close human–animal interaction, central to Mesolithic life.

Mesolithic Age in India

The Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age) represents the transitional phase between the Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age) and the Neolithic (New Stone Age). In India, this period roughly spans from 10,000 BCE to 4,000 BCE and is primarily identified by the appearance of microliths—tiny, sharp stone tools often set into wooden or bone handles.

Key Features of the Mesolithic Age (Prelims Focus)

1. Chronology & Environment

Marks the shift from Pleistocene to Holocene around 10,000 years ago.
Characterised by:
- Rising temperatures
- Warmer and drier climate
- Transformation in vegetation and fauna

Environmental changes compelled humans to adapt new subsistence and tool-making strategies.

2. Subsistence & Economy

Mesolithic communities mainly lived by hunting, gathering, and fishing.
Shift from hunting large Palaeolithic fauna to smaller animals suited for hunting with bows and arrows.
Increasingly selective in choosing specific animal and plant species.
The period ends with the adoption of incipient agriculture, marking the beginning of the Neolithic.

3. Tools of the Mesolithic Age

The defining feature: Microliths

Small chipped stone tools ranging from under 1 cm to about 5 cm.
Produced using punch and pressure techniques on materials like:
- Chalcedony
- Agate
- Flint
- Carnelian

Types of Microliths

Geometric: triangles, trapezes, lunates (crescents)
Non-geometric: small points, scrapers, burins

These were often used as composite tools, fitted onto wooden or bone shafts.

Other Tools

Macroliths (larger tools): axes, picks
Bone and antler tools were also common.

4. Settlement Patterns & Way of Life

Mesolithic people were semi-nomadic, moving in search of food.
Lived in:
- Rock shelters and caves
- Temporary huts made of perishable materials

Excavations reveal:

Circular and oval hut remains
Postholes and burnt clay lumps with reed impressions
Sites such as Bagor, Tilwara (Rajasthan), Chopani Mando and Damdama (UP) show early habitation structures.

Rock Art

Numerous Mesolithic sites contain cave paintings, portraying daily life, hunting scenes, animals, and rituals.
This art helps reconstruct cultural and symbolic aspects of Mesolithic society.

Provides evidence of early symbolic communication and artistic expression.
Helps reconstruct the environmental and cultural history of the region.

Authorities are considering bringing the site under protected heritage status to ensure long-term preservation.

Rock Art Tradition in Telangana

Telangana hosts a rich prehistoric art landscape with more than 20 major rock art concentrations across nearly 30 rock shelters. These sites span periods from the Upper Palaeolithic to the late Medieval era.

Major rock art locations include:

Pandavulagutta
Kossegutta and Bommala Loddi
Akka Mahadevi Caves
Dupadugattu
Devarlagutta
Sanganonipalli
Mudumula
Potanpalli
Wargal
Edithanur
Kokapet
Dharmaram
Bangla Venkatapur

The Veladri Hills discovery enriches this extensive prehistoric cultural map of the State.

Implications for Research and Heritage Conservation

The discovery is significant for the following reasons:

Enhances understanding of Mesolithic societies in South India.
Provides material for studying early art, symbolism, and cognitive evolution.
Strengthens the case for heritage management and tourism development in Khammam district.
Offers opportunities for future archaeological surveys, excavations, and multidisciplinary research.

The site is expected to play a vital role in educating future generations about early human history in the Deccan region.

Conclusion

The discovery of the rock art paintings at Veladri Hills is a valuable addition to Telangana’s prehistoric heritage. These artworks offer profound insights into the lives, beliefs, and creativity of early human communities. With appropriate protection and research, the site can significantly contribute to India’s cultural and archaeological knowledge while preserving a window into humanity’s distant past.