In the western state of Maharashtra, lies a fascinating glimpse into the country’s ancient past and cultural heritage. A collection of rock carvings, known as petroglyphs, estimated to be around 12,000 years old, offers invaluable insight into the region’s history. Located atop small hills in the Konkan region, these petroglyphs are referred to as the Konkan petroglyphs. Since their discovery, researchers and enthusiasts of anthropology have eagerly sought to uncover the mysteries of the ancient civilizations that once flourished in the area.
The Konkan petroglyphs remained hidden for thousands of years, buried beneath layers of soil and mud. They were first discovered in 2012, but the ones that had been exposed to the elements were regarded as sacred or viewed as an important part of the cultural legacy left by the ancestors of the people who once lived in the area.
Over 1,500 petroglyphs have been documented across more than 70 sites, all dating back to the Mesolithic era. These carvings are believed to have been created by a hunter-gatherer community that had not yet embraced agriculture, as there are no depictions of farming activities. The designs feature a variety of subjects, including land and sea animals (some now extinct), birds, human figures, and geometric patterns.
Tejas Garge, the director of the Maharashtra state archaeology department, explained, “Based on our examination, we believe these petroglyphs were created around 10,000 BCE. While we haven’t found any depictions of farming, the carvings feature detailed representations of hunted animals and marine life. This suggests that the people who created these petroglyphs had a deep knowledge of animals and sea creatures, indicating that they relied on hunting for sustenance.”
The Konkan petroglyphs are now included on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. According to UNESCO’s website, “The exceptional artistic skills and the advanced techniques of rock etching and scooping reflect the intellectual prowess of the cultural group. The diversity in symbolism, forms, composition, proportion, and techniques across different sites offers a unique insight into the worldview of the early transitional phases of culture in the Konkan region.”
To further study and document the 400 petroglyphs identified so far, the state government has allocated a fund of 240 million rupees. However, the sites where these petroglyphs are located face significant risks due to road construction, mining, agriculture, and erosion. Additionally, the growing number of visitors, many of whom approach the carvings without care, is exacerbating the situation. As a result, local archaeologists are urging fellow enthusiasts to avoid cleaning or marking the carvings during their visits to preserve these ancient sites.
