Ancient Rock Art Spanning Millennia Discovered in Telangana Cave Shelter
In a significant archaeological find, ancient rock art spanning the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Historical periods has been identified at a painted rock shelter inside a cave on a hillock near Turakalpalli village in Charagonda mandal of Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. The discovery was made by members of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, highlighting the region's rich historical heritage.
Discovery and Initial Examination
The site was discovered by Yadeshwar Dantekar and Kalagoni Kiran Kumar Goud of the group. After a thorough examination of the paintings, rock art expert and adviser to the group, Bandi Muralidhar Reddy, confirmed that the images, executed in red, white, and black pigments, belong to distinct phases ranging from the Mesolithic to the Historical period. This multi-period artwork provides a rare glimpse into the evolving cultural expressions of ancient communities.
Detailed Analysis of the Paintings Across Three Periods
According to the team, the red paintings have been attributed to the Mesolithic period. These include a large unidentified animal, a small reptile-like figure, crossing lines, long horn-like or bone-like shapes, faded triangles, indistinct linear designs, and a possible human figure. Some of the red markings show superimposition, indicating that one drawing was painted over another, suggesting repeated use of the site over time.
The white paintings have been identified as belonging to the Neolithic period. These feature a humped bull with horns, hump-less cattle with horns, and a decorative circle with 10 spokes resembling a wheel or sun motif. In some areas, the white paintings appear over black drawings, implying they were created later, showcasing a chronological layering of artistic styles.
The black paintings, classified as belonging to the Historical period, include circles, a double-lined rectangle with an "X" mark inside, a semi-circular decorative motif with eight lines and dots, simple animal figures, multi-legged animals with long necks and tails, human figures holding swords, a rider on a four-legged horse-like animal carrying a sword, a faint elephant-like image, and indistinct figures shown in a lying position with a weapon-bearing human figure standing over them. These depictions reflect themes of conflict, daily life, and cultural symbolism.
Insights into Lifestyle and Cultural Continuity
The team also noted the presence of deep grooves on the rock surface, which they believe were used to sharpen Neolithic stone tools. The coexistence of paintings from different periods at a single shelter indicates that the site was used repeatedly by people across eras. This discovery points to continued human use of the cave shelter over a long span of time, with each phase leaving behind visual traces of life, animals, movement, and societal changes.
The paintings, as analyzed by the team, reflect changing cultural expressions while preserving continuity in the use of the site as a shelter. Sreeramoju Haragopal, convener of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, emphasized, "Finding rock art from different periods in one place shows that people from various eras lived here and painted scenes reflecting their lifestyle and culture. These images are historical records."
Exploration and Significance
The field exploration was carried out by Kalagoni Kiran Kumar Goud, Yadeshwar Dantekar, and other members of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam. This find not only enriches our understanding of Telangana's ancient history but also underscores the importance of preserving such archaeological sites for future research and education. The rock art serves as a testament to the enduring human presence and artistic evolution in the region.
