The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered three rock shelters, rock paintings and some inscriptions in Lankamala Wildlife Sanctuary of Kadapa district
Published Date – 2 March 2025, 10:03 AM
Hyderabad: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) found traces of primitive man in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh recently. The six-member team, led by Muniratnam Reddy and Yesubabu, discovered three rock shelters, rock paintings, and some inscriptions in the Lankamala Wildlife Sanctuary that spans in Badvelu, Siddavatam and Maidukuru areas of Kadapa.
A few line drawings depicting animals, humans, and food items were found in the rock shelters. Line drawings resembling animals and humans drawn by a primitive man from the Stone Age have been identified at Mallugani Gavi. There are primitive human habitats and drawings in a cave near Bandigani Sela. The drawings drawn in white are related to wild animals and food.
Drawings of a horse, a king, an army, weapons like swords, cows, and people slaughtering cows were made using a red colour on the cave walls. Also, paintings depicting a Shiva lingam, drums, and a procession with a whip were also identified. The archaeologists say that the humans who stayed in the location years ago might be spiritual.
Officials say that the red colour was made using animal fat, crushed bones, kaolin clay, red ochre, and other materials which made the ancient paintings last longer.
Archaeologists speculate that the paintings and the rock art might belong to the Megalithic or Iron Age (1200 BCE to 200 BCE) and might have lasted up to the Historic Age. The estampage of the inscriptions date back to the 4th century CE to the 10th century CE.
Burnt wood and coal were also found which shows that the humans lived and hunted animals, as resources such as water and animals were found abundantly in the region. “Coal from the prehistoric era was found here, indicating that they ate cooked meat,” an official said.