Photos: Palaeolithic cave paintings found in the Aravallis

Agencies | By HT Correspondent

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

Archaeologists have discovered cave paintings in a rocky and forested corner of Haryana, not far from the national capital, that they believe belong to the Upper Palaeolithic age, which could potentially make them one of the oldest cave arts in the country.

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A view of mountains in the Aravalli Range where Palaeolithic cave paintings have been found, in Haryana on July 10. The caves are nestled amid a maze of quartzite rocks in the Aravalli mountain ranges, just outside the national capital, and a stone’s throw from the region’s only surviving patch of primary forest, a holy grove called Mangar Bani.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

A view of mountains in the Aravalli Range where Palaeolithic cave paintings have been found, in Haryana on July 10. The caves are nestled amid a maze of quartzite rocks in the Aravalli mountain ranges, just outside the national capital, and a stone’s throw from the region’s only surviving patch of primary forest, a holy grove called Mangar Bani.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Steps leading into a cave in a forested area in the Aravalli Range in Haryana on July 10. While the residents of Manger village, and adjoining villages such as Selakhari, say generations have been aware of the paintings, it is only recently that the Haryana government’s museum and archaeology department took note of them. It sent a fact-finding team to the area in the last week of June.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

Steps leading into a cave in a forested area in the Aravalli Range in Haryana on July 10. While the residents of Manger village, and adjoining villages such as Selakhari, say generations have been aware of the paintings, it is only recently that the Haryana government’s museum and archaeology department took note of them. It sent a fact-finding team to the area in the last week of June.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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A cave painting in the Aravalli Range of mountains in Haryana on July 10. “So far, cave paintings in Delhi-NCR have only been found here. Most pre-historic sites have been traced in the Aravalli region. The paintings are yet to be dated but at least some of them belong to the Upper Palaeolithic period in all likelihood,” Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the department of archaeology and museums, told HT.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

A cave painting in the Aravalli Range of mountains in Haryana on July 10. “So far, cave paintings in Delhi-NCR have only been found here. Most pre-historic sites have been traced in the Aravalli region. The paintings are yet to be dated but at least some of them belong to the Upper Palaeolithic period in all likelihood,” Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the department of archaeology and museums, told HT.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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A man looking at a wall in a cave it the Aravalli mountain range in Haryana on July 10. Archaeologists are viewing the paintings in continuation with the Soanian culture which has been found in Shivalik hills, Narmada and Aravallis, Bhattacharyya said.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

A man looking at a wall in a cave it the Aravalli mountain range in Haryana on July 10. Archaeologists are viewing the paintings in continuation with the Soanian culture which has been found in Shivalik hills, Narmada and Aravallis, Bhattacharyya said.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Specimens of as yet undated cave paintings in the Aravalli Range is Haryana on July 10. The team encountered cave paintings comprising images of human figurines, animals, foliage, and geometric, some that have paled over time, but others that are still very visible. It also encountered rock art and open-air ceremonial sites. While some could be spotted in the open air, a majority of them are on the ceilings of the rock shelters.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

Specimens of as yet undated cave paintings in the Aravalli Range is Haryana on July 10. The team encountered cave paintings comprising images of human figurines, animals, foliage, and geometric, some that have paled over time, but others that are still very visible. It also encountered rock art and open-air ceremonial sites. While some could be spotted in the open air, a majority of them are on the ceilings of the rock shelters.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Specimens of pre-historic cave art in the Aravallis in Haryana on July 10. The Upper Paleolithic Age began around 40,000 years ago and lasted till around 10,000 years ago. Bhattacharyya, who was part of the team, said the discovery is extremely significant. “Though tools from the Palaeolithic Age have been identified earlier in parts of the Aravallis, it is for the first time that cave paintings and rock art of a large magnitude have been found in Haryana.”(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

Specimens of pre-historic cave art in the Aravallis in Haryana on July 10. The Upper Paleolithic Age began around 40,000 years ago and lasted till around 10,000 years ago. Bhattacharyya, who was part of the team, said the discovery is extremely significant. “Though tools from the Palaeolithic Age have been identified earlier in parts of the Aravallis, it is for the first time that cave paintings and rock art of a large magnitude have been found in Haryana.”(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Geometric cave art in the Aravallis in Haryana on July 10. The Mangar cave art is 20,000-40,000 years old, according to Bhattacharyya, but this is something that can be established through archaeological dating. It is for the first time that cave paintings at the current site have caught the attention of researchers. and Bhattacharyya believes the site may have remained relatively undiscovered due to thick vegetation.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

Geometric cave art in the Aravallis in Haryana on July 10. The Mangar cave art is 20,000-40,000 years old, according to Bhattacharyya, but this is something that can be established through archaeological dating. It is for the first time that cave paintings at the current site have caught the attention of researchers. and Bhattacharyya believes the site may have remained relatively undiscovered due to thick vegetation.(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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A cliff-face in the Aravallis in Haryana on July 10. Residents of nearby villages said they know of the paintings, but that their historical importance eluded them. Hamid, a resident of Selakheri who uses only one name, told HT: “We know that these paintings must be quite old. It’s evident if you look at them. However, one can’t understand or make sense of symbols or the writing.” Shaukat Ali, a septuagenarian, said, “People go there regularly, particularly women -- for grazing goats or routine walks. The caves are a part of our lives...”(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Published on Jul 15, 2021 04:37 pm IST

A cliff-face in the Aravallis in Haryana on July 10. Residents of nearby villages said they know of the paintings, but that their historical importance eluded them. Hamid, a resident of Selakheri who uses only one name, told HT: “We know that these paintings must be quite old. It’s evident if you look at them. However, one can’t understand or make sense of symbols or the writing.” Shaukat Ali, a septuagenarian, said, “People go there regularly, particularly women -- for grazing goats or routine walks. The caves are a part of our lives...”(Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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