Prehistoric Paintings Found Near Bhadrachalam
Based on the style and themes, the paintings are believed to belong to the Mesolithic period, dating back nearly 10,000 to 5,000 BCE, or possibly to the early Neolithic phase.
Hyderabad: A new rock art site of major prehistoric importance has been discovered near Palwancha in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The site is located near Aksaraloddi, between Jagannadhapuram and Annapureddypalli in Mulakalapalli mandal, about two kilometres from Nallamudi, deep inside the forest area.
The rock art consists of red ochre paintings drawn on natural rock surfaces. The paintings include images of animals, hunting scenes and human figures. Researchers believe these drawings were created by early humans to express their daily life, beliefs and rituals, and to pass messages to future generations.
The discovery was made during a field exploration by researcher Kondaveeti Gopi, who has earlier identified several megalithic and prehistoric sites in the region. He was assisted by Shiva of Nallamudi, who helped in locating the site.
Based on the style and themes, the paintings are believed to belong to the Mesolithic period, dating back nearly 10,000 to 5,000 BCE, or possibly to the early Neolithic phase. The discovery of wood fossils in the same area further highlights the region’s rich prehistoric and ecological history.
