SRIKAKULAM: The archeological department found thousands of years old rock paintings in the Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh.
The paintings of various animals and others of 15,000 years to 10,000 years BC mean Upper Paleolithic culture were found on the Jugoulametta hillocks in the surroundings of Kondatemburu village in Nandigam mandal in the district.
The archaeological exploration team found these paintings in the chain of small hillocks at Jogula Metta, one kilometer in front of the National Highway 16 and 5 km away from manal headquarters Nandigam.
They are found around 44 km north of Srikakulam town.
Visakhapatnam archaeology and museums assistant director (Technical) S Venkata Rao told TOI that the paintings were drawn with red ochre at the same places linear figures were disconnected due to peeling surface grains of all animals.
“In front of these rock shelters are nodules and chunks of quartzite stone found in small crevices as heaps in the rock bed. We found a blade core that was used in those days as a tool. Painting and artifacts reveal the human presence and efforts to make stone tools for survival,” he said.
Interestingly, the department of archaeology and museums found similar paintings earlier at Thene Konda at Dimmidi Jwala Savararampuram village in the same Nandigam mandal west of the present hillock.
The paintings and rock tools, besides others, indicate that the culture continued to Mesolithic culture 5000 years BC and also Megalithic culture means thousand to 300 years BC. The paintings include Peacock, Boar, Rhino, Monkey, Human figure, Elephant, and Baby Elephant, among others. Further exploration may yield full-fledged evidence of Prehistoric man.
One more interesting part is that four cup masks of different sizes were noticed in front of the rock shelter's floor.
The AD of the archaeology department said that these cup marks are prominently seen at Megalithic sites like Sangamayya Konda near Amudalavalasa in the district.
These were believed to serve the purpose of performing rituals for the dead.
The exploration team said that these are believed to serve the purpose of performing rituals for the dead.
After getting information from local villager Ramana Murthy of Kondatemburu, the exploration team including Assistant Director S Venkata Rao, Technical Assistant K Sreenivvasa Rao, and Archaeological Assistant D Visweswara Rao visited hillocks.
The archaeology department is now bringing it to the notice of Commissioner Department of Archaeology and Museums Commissioner G Vani Mohan for further action to protect the ancient and historical monuments and Archaeological Remains Act 1960.
