Unearthed Petroglyphs in Ratnagiri and Rajapur and Their Historic Significance
The past few years have seen the discovery of petroglyph sites in Ratnagiri and Rajapur districts, offering a fascinating insight into our ancient past. The striking similarity of their artistic designs to those found worldwide, coupled with the manner in which they have been drawn, has led experts to suggest that these intriguing etchings may be among the oldest ever discovered.
Understanding Petroglyphs
A petroglyph typically refers to a prehistoric carving made on a rock’s surface. The era before the advent of civilization and documented evidence is referred to as prehistory. The only substantial sources available from this period include archeological artifacts like stone and bone tools and rock arts. Rock art encompasses pictographs (rock paintings) and petroglyphs (rock carvings). Carving these designs into flat and open rock surfaces gives them a distinct and unique scale and appearance.
The Mesolithic Roots and Features of the Petroglyphs
The prevalent belief among researchers is that these petroglyphs could trace back to around 10,000 BCE, placing them within the Mesolithic Period. This era falls between the Paleolithic period, marked by chipped stone tools, and the Neolithic period, known for smaller, more polished tools. The diversity in the rock carvings is genuinely remarkable, with animals, birds, human figures, and geometric patterns all being depicted. The images seem to have been crafted by hunter-gatherer societies, as indicated by the depictions of hunted animals and intricate animal forms.
Petroglyph and Rock Art Sites Across India
There are other significant petroglyph and rock art sites across India, potentially contemporary with this period. These include the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh, rock carvings in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, petroglyphs from the Tindivanam and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu, and Unakoti in Tripura. What makes the Ratnagiri petroglyphs unique is their being etched on laterite stone, unlike most others found across India on granite and sandstone.
| Site | Type of Rock |
|---|---|
| Bhimbetka | Granite |
| Mirzapur | Sandstone |
| Tindivanam & Villupuram | Granite |
| Unakoti | Sandstone |
| Ratnagiri | Laterite |
The Significance of These Petroglyphs
Throughout the medieval age, the Konkan coast was home to crucial port towns. Epigraphs and contemporaneous records suggest the region’s rich history of trade and contact with Europe and the Roman Empire. However, information about its prehistoric activities remained scant.
The discovery of these petroglyphs can fill this significant gap in the Konkan region’s history. Although they cannot be considered evidence of a civilization due to the absence of indications of writing, agricultural or economic activities, or settlements, these carvings are vital for understanding the region’s history and artistic traditions.
These carvings, depicting animals like rhinoceroses and hippos not previously thought to be native to India, suggest that the Konkan region may have been akin to the rainforests where these animals are typically found. Considering the religious nature of the art from the later medieval period, it is likely that these carvings indicate some form of religious belief or system.
Unfolding History and Future Endeavours
Some of the more complex reliefs, etched deep into the ground, may have been created using metal tools rather than stone. If proven correct, this theory could indicate continuous habitation in this region over millennia, potentially by various nomadic tribes, similar to sites like Bhimbetka, where art has been dated from prehistoric times to the medieval period.
The discovery of these sites marks the beginning of an extensive project. Further evidence of stone tools and settlements around these sites is needed for more accurate dating. The Maharashtra tourism department has expressed interest in developing certain sites and incorporating them into the local tourist circuit, noting the region’s attractiveness due to its beaches and temples.