The pre-historic rock paintings at Ketavaram near Kurnool have been under stress due to weathering. People visiting the place at regular intervals have been noticing loss of shine and visibility year after year. The rainwater washing down over paintings caused erosion.
Over 100 figures were drawn on the flat surface of basalt rocks, possibly with acidic pen or iron red oxide. Several archaeologists who visited the site grouped them as the art of Mesolithic to megalithic period ranging from 6,000 BC to 200 AD.
Stone tools collected
Ketavaram rock site is considered one of the important prehistoric sites in the country. Experts who visited the site causally collected a huge number of stone tools which were just visible to the naked eye. Ketavaram site is believed to be contemporary to Indus Valley civilization. Many of the figures found at the Indus site have also been spotted at Ketavaram.
The group of pictures depicted the lifestyle of pre-historic man. The animals which found prominently among the figures are deer, stag, antelope, hyena, rabbit, reptile and frog.
The hunting dance is painted visibly at many places which is considered the source of early belief system. Tribal head performed various rituals before going for hunting praying the tribal gods for a good catch.
Though paintings have survived the vagaries of nature for over 5,000 years, it might not be so in future with increased human activity disturbing the ambience. Large-scale quarrying has been taking place day in day out in the vicinity by pulverizing rocks for various applications.
Increased presence of humans, excessive use of chemicals in the area, atmospheric pollution, acid rain and other environmental changes can prove to be bane of the historic site.
Sweeping changes are believed to have taken place since their finding 100 years ago by British official Bruce Foote.
Many historians and archaeologists have described the site as a treasure wherein pre-religious beliefs could be found in the populations living in the surrounding villages. They called for serious research before the continuity is broken and modernisation takes over the local people.
Source: The Hindu [May 04, 2011]
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| Ketavaram paintings in Kurnool district show signs of weathering [Credit: U. Subramanyam] |
Stone tools collected
Ketavaram rock site is considered one of the important prehistoric sites in the country. Experts who visited the site causally collected a huge number of stone tools which were just visible to the naked eye. Ketavaram site is believed to be contemporary to Indus Valley civilization. Many of the figures found at the Indus site have also been spotted at Ketavaram.
The group of pictures depicted the lifestyle of pre-historic man. The animals which found prominently among the figures are deer, stag, antelope, hyena, rabbit, reptile and frog.
The hunting dance is painted visibly at many places which is considered the source of early belief system. Tribal head performed various rituals before going for hunting praying the tribal gods for a good catch.
Though paintings have survived the vagaries of nature for over 5,000 years, it might not be so in future with increased human activity disturbing the ambience. Large-scale quarrying has been taking place day in day out in the vicinity by pulverizing rocks for various applications.
Increased presence of humans, excessive use of chemicals in the area, atmospheric pollution, acid rain and other environmental changes can prove to be bane of the historic site.
Sweeping changes are believed to have taken place since their finding 100 years ago by British official Bruce Foote.
Many historians and archaeologists have described the site as a treasure wherein pre-religious beliefs could be found in the populations living in the surrounding villages. They called for serious research before the continuity is broken and modernisation takes over the local people.
Source: The Hindu [May 04, 2011]