During a recent visit to my hometown Pavagada, memories of the Megalithic burial site I had encountered last year lingered in my mind. As I sat near that ancient resting place, overlooking a dolerite hill opposite to the burial ground, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be more to discover – possibly rock art – in this intriguing region.”
The Dolerite dyke formations here, resembling those at Sanganakallu, immediately grabbed my attention. Intrigued, I spontaneously embarked on a journey to uncover the mysteries within these geological wonders. To my amazement, I stumbled upon prehistoric petroglyphs on the stones.
To connect the dots, just last year, I had visited another significant – a Megalithic burial ground at Sanganakallu. The proximity of Sanganakallu and the presence of similar rocks (Dolerite dykes) at Pavagada sparked my curiosity. This connection has set the stage for a deeper exploration into pre-historic sites in the area.
The newly discovered rock art showcases intricate symbols of a Bull, hunting, snakes, wild cat or perhaps tigers. The most intriguing image was, however, of a man riding an animal, which seemed like a horse. There were many more drawings that could provide glimpse into the creative expressions of Neolithic communities. The use of Dolerite dykes as the canvas for these ancient artworks raises questions about the significance of these geological formations in the cultural and spiritual practices of the past.
“Further discussions with renowned anthropologist Prof. Korisetter shed light on the age and origins of the newly discovered rock art at Pulikonda. According to Professor, the rock art appears to be Megalithic in age, though not older. He pointed out that depictions of horses, particularly, belong to a later period. Interestingly, some of the drawings are attributed to modern shepherds and cattle-keeping boys, engaged in an imitation of the old features.
The intricate symbols found in the rock art showcase a diverse range, including Bulls, hunting scenes, snakes, wild cats, and perhaps tigers. Among these depictions, the most intriguing image depicts a man riding an animal that bears a resemblance to a horse. Prof. Korisetter’s insights add layers to our understanding, suggesting that these drawings offer a glimpse into the creative expressions of not only Neolithic communities but also individuals from later periods.
During our exploration, we also encountered evidence of prehistoric rock music. The ancient rocks resonated with what seemed like rhythmic patterns, suggesting a form of musical expression from the distant past. These acoustic phenomena add a unique dimension to the site, hinting at the possibility of prehistoric communities engaging in musical practices as part of their cultural and spiritual activities
Rock art, however, faces a growing danger not of natural elements, which it has withstood over thousands of years but from unauthorized activities and vandalism, potentially causing irreparable damage to the archaeological site. Such actions not only undermine the cultural heritage preserved at this location but also compromise the broader understanding of our prehistoric past.
I can only hope this site receives immediate action from the archaeologists and historians for an in-depth exploration, comprehensive understanding and scientific preservation.
My unplanned expedition near Pulikonda hill turned out to be a serendipitous journey into our prehistoric past, emphasizing that even spontaneous adventures can yield profound insights into human history.”
Shiva is an avid field explorer of history and the environment and is Project Field Researcher at FAIR.
His personal blog, https://terrainnexplorer.com/ is also a repository of fascinating stories and research.