We see cool graffiti on the streets, some made by popular artists, and some by jilted lovers, and we instantaneously understand that the artist is expressing something, and the medium is art. One wonders, what did the prehistoric people do when they wanted to express things. Contrary to popular beliefs, they didn’t always hit each other on the head with a club. They picked a rock or something and etched figures on rocky surfaces.
They probably drew what they saw regularly, their day-to-day life. One can only hope. And we say this because, as we stand before these ancient carvings, it’s easy to imagine the world as it was for the people who created them. The activity or the animals that are carved on the ground, they are long gone, and so are carvers. What we see in front of us is a chapter from their life, over 12,000 years ago.
Perhaps they carved these shapes during hunting expeditions, documenting the wildlife they encountered, or as part of ritual practices meant to honour their gods or ancestors. Each figure tells a story, and although we may never fully understand the exact purpose behind these carvings, they undoubtedly provide a unique connection to our past.
The Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa is home to ancient petroglyphs, some of which date back 12,000 years. In Maharashtra, they are found in locations like Kasheli, Barsu, and Ratnagiri. Interestingly, these petroglyphs were discovered not too long ago. As per reports, over 1000 carvings were unearthed in the last few years.
One of the most notable sites in the Konkan region Dongarmatha. Also, the carvings in Ratnagiri and Rajapur are fascinating as they have remained untouched for millennia, now just waiting for the researchers to come up with some sort of decoding of these etchings.
In Goa, the Usgalimal Petroglyphs steal the show. Not many have heard of this name but believe us when we say this, this place is as real as they come. Located on the banks of the Kushavati River in Rivona, if reports are to go by, these rock carvings date back to the Neolithic period, around 6000 to 7000 years ago. The site, discovered in 1993, includes over 100 figures depicting animals, humans, and labyrinths.
The Usgalimal Petroglyphs, spread across an area of 500 sq metres, is now under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). One is inclined to think that this might even be some of the rare evidence of early human settlement in Goa.
Now, travel up north, to Ladakh, to get up close and personal with these petroglyphs. A visit to Domkhar village in Leh district is what you need to start with. This quaint village is home to the Domkhar Rock Art Sanctuary, home to the remarkable petroglyphs of Ladakh.
While in search of these petroglyphs, you will find yourself along the Indus River, slowly realising that now you are surrounded by rocks where prehistoric ancestors once rested and carved what they saw or wanted to express.
Interestingly, Domkhar isn’t the only place in Ladakh where you will see this ancient rock art. Villages like Dah in Brokpa Valley, as well as Khaltse, Nimmu, Alchi, and Stakna, also house petroglyphs in varying conditions. Some of these carvings are believed to be around 5,000 years old! But if you spot religious symbols, they are probably not a part of the ancient petroglyphs.
Next time if your heart tells you that you are in desperate need of an outdoor adventure or something new and out of the ordinary, give petroglyphs a chance.
