Bhimbetka Rock Shelter
Discovered first in 1957, the paintings found in the rock caves of Bhimbetka are famous as they show depictions of early man and are known to be over 10,000 years old. The rock caves in Bhimbetka are also famous for being the earliest known source of rock or cave art in India and surrounding areas. Situated 45km east of Bhopal, Bhimbetka has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All the important rock shelters are numbered and signposted. There are approximately 15 spots linked by a concrete path. And on the side of the paths, you can find maps very frequently showing you where to go, so there is no chance of getting lost. One interesting spot is the 'rock tortoise'. Just a little uphill from the Caves entry is a small temple. People who visit the caves usually visit the temple.
History of Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Bhimbetka comprises five clusters of rock shelters distributed across an area of 10 km, spanning seven hills. The archaeological significance of Bhimbetka remained unknown to the modern world for a long time. Though a reference to the site was made in 1888 in a scholarly paper by W. Kincaid, an official of British India, he mentioned it as a Buddhist site. Much later, an Indian archaeologist named Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar discovered these rock shelters in 1957. The real significance of these caves, however, was realized only in 1970. After that, over 750 rock shelters have been discovered on the site as of now. Out of these, 243 are part of the Bhimbetka group while 178 are part of the Lakha Juara group situated nearby.
Based on the excavations conducted at Bhimbetka and the artifacts and rock paintings discovered on the site, the Archaeological Survey of India has concluded that the rock shelters were continuously occupied until the 2nd century BCE.
Rock Paintings at Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters possess the oldest rock paintings known to exist in the Indian subcontinent. Out of the 754 rock shelters recognized till now, 400 shelters feature impressive rock paintings that span a vast period, starting from 30000 years ago to the medieval age. The themes and motifs featured in these paintings, such as hunting, dance, animals, geometric figures, etc. provide insights into the cultural evolution of humans. The colors used for the paintings are vegetable colors that have stood the test of time. Interestingly, the 21 villages located around the Bhimbetka archaeological site reflect the customs or traditions expressed in the paintings.
