Petroglyph Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Prehistoric Rock Carvings

• Petroglyphs are ancient carvings made on rocks by removing part of the rock surface. This can be done through methods like incising, picking, carving, or abrading. 
• The term "rock art" encompasses both petroglyphs and pictographs (paintings on rocks). Petroglyphs are unique because they are carved into flat, open rock surfaces, giving them a distinct scale and appearance. 

Petroglyph Sites

Petroglyphs of Ratnagiri

• Ratnagiri district is home to over 1,500 petroglyphs, also known as katal shilpa. 
• These petroglyphs are spread across 70 different sites in the district. 
• One notable petroglyph is an eight-foot-long carving located in Devache Gothane village within the Rajapur district of Maharashtra. 
• Other sites with petroglyphs include Barsu and Devihasol in Ratnagiri District. 

Features of these Petroglyphs

• Petroglyphs in the Ratnagiri region date back to around 10,000 BCE, during the Mesolithic Period. 
• This period falls between the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) and Neolithic (New Stone Age) periods. 
• The carvings depict a variety of subjects, including animals, birds, human figures, and geometric designs, suggesting they were created by hunter-gatherer communities. 
• These communities likely carved images of hunted animals and detailed animal forms. 
• The petroglyphs in Ratnagiri are unique because they are made on laterite stone, while similar carvings in other parts of India are found on granite and sandstone. 

Comparison with Other Sites:
Sites in India that are contemporary to the petroglyphs in Ratnagiri include: 

• Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh 
• Rock carvings in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh 
• Petroglyphs from Tindivanam and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu 
• Unakoti in Tripura 

Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh are known for their ancient rock art, similar to the petroglyphs in Ratnagiri. 
Kupgal petroglyphs in Karnataka, Kudopi and Hiwale in Maharashtra, and Edakkal Caves in Kerala also feature ancient rock carvings. 
Sites like Kollur in Tamil Nadu and Unakoti in Tripura have also yielded significant rock art findings. 

Recent Discoveries and Historical Context:

• In October 2018, petroglyphs were discovered in the Ratnagiri and Rajapur areas of Maharashtra, suggesting a rich history of rock art in the region. 
• These rock carvings, potentially dating back to 10,000 BC, depict animals such as hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses, which are not native to the region. 
• Some carvings also depict what appears to be the Pisces constellation, indicating a possible astronomical significance. 
• Sites like Usgalimal in Goa, Ladakhi rock art in Ladakh, and various sites in the NW Indian Himalaya also feature ancient rock engravings and art, comparable to the petroglyphs in Ratnagiri. 

Kethaiyurumpu, Tamil Nadu

• Ancient rock carvings known as petroglyphs have been discovered in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, specifically in the regions around Idaiyakottai and Kothaiyurumbu hill.
• These carvings, primarily consisting of abstract symbols, are found on two rocks that seem to create a temporary rock shelter.
• The site is located approximately 28 kilometers northwest of Dindigul and 6 kilometers southwest of Oddanchatram.
• It is situated near a dilapidated Murugan temple atop Kothaiyurumbu hill.