All About Prehistoric Rock Paintings

Introduction

Early humans, like cave dwellers, used painting to express their aesthetic sensibility, creativity and to make their shelters more colorful and beautiful or to keep a visual record of their day-to-day life with prehistoric rock paintings. 

Description of Early Paintings

• The initial finding of rock paintings in India occurred in 1867-68  in Sohagighat, in the Mirzapur district by Archaeologist Archibold Carlleyle.
• The earliest paintings have been reported from Upper Palaeolithic times in India.
• The initial prehistoric paintings were found in the Bhimbetka caves of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The caves were discovered in 1957–58 by eminent archaeologist V.S. Wakankar
  • It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
  • These prehistoric rock paintings can be categorized into three primary phases

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Upper Palaeolithic Period (40,000- 10,000 BC)	Quartzite walls in rock shelter caves were utilised for prehistoric paintings. Primary pigments:  Ochre or geru (from haematite), mixed with lime and water; Green from the chalcedony stone; White from Lime The paintings of the Upper Palaeolithic phase are linear representations, in green and dark red, of huge animal figures, such as bisons, elephants, tigers, rhinos and boars besides stick-like human figures Human figures are represented with red for hunters and green for dancers.
Mesolithic Period (10,000- 4000 BC)	Predominant use of red pigment during this era. Generally smaller size paintings compared to the Upper Paleolithic Period. Frequent themes include group hunting, grazing scenes, and depictions of riding activities. Community dances provide a common theme. Animals were painted in a naturalistic style, and humans were depicted only in a stylistic manner.
Chalcolithic Period	Notable rise in the number of paintings using green and yellow pigments. Prominent subject: battle scenes; Numerous depictions of men on horseback and elephants, some armed with bows and arrows, suggesting readiness for conflicts.
Ancient rock art, typically executed on rocks, is referred to as petroglyphs.

Other Primitive Paintings

• Cave painting in the Kaimur Range of Central India, the Vindhya Hills, with locations like Bhimbetka, Mirzapur, Pachmarhi, and 
• Indus Valley pottery (Painted Earthen Jar: Discovered in Mohenjodaro was painted in black and adorned with motifs of plants and geometric patterns).
• These prehistoric rock paintings depict primitive scenes like wild animals, war processions, and hunting.

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Conclusion

• Prehistoric rock paintings serve as invaluable records of humanity’s artistic and cultural evolution, bridging the gap between modern civilizations and our distant ancestors, fostering a deeper appreciation for our shared human heritage.