Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

The rock caves of Bhimbetka lie at the foot of the Vindhyan Mountains in the south of the central Indian plateau in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the oldest traces of human life that were found in India. The rock shelters and paintings out of the Stone Age are up to 9000 years old. Its rock paintings show realistically, the everyday life of the former caves inhabitants that shows numerous resemblances with the traditions of the current inhabitants in the 21 adjoining villages. The oldest rock drawings come probably from the Mesolithic period. The rock shelters are listed by the UNESCO as a world culture heritage in 2003.

hese rocks have the paintings of animals like Elephants, Sambar, Bisons and Deer, hunting scenes, hunters, skeleton of bison, communal dancing and drinking. It is a miracle that these paintings are not faded with the passage of time. As believed colours used were out of coloured stones, vegetable dyes, and animal fats. The brushes might have consisted of plant fibers.