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Rock art and paintings

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{{Short description|30,000+ years old archaeological World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS = Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
| image = Rock Shelter 8, Bhimbetka 02.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption = Bhimbetka rock painting
| location = [[Raisen District]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| Type = Cultural
| criteria = (iii), (v)
| ID = 925
| coordinates = {{coord|22.938415|N|77.613085|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| year = 2003
| area = {{cvt|1893|ha|sqmi}}
| buffer_zone = {{cvt|10280|ha|sqmi}}
| locmapin = India#India Madhya Pradesh
| map_caption = Bhimbetka rock shelters,
Madhya Pradesh, India
|Criteria=}}
The '''Bhimbetka rock shelters''' are an archaeological site in central [[India]] that spans the prehistoric [[Paleolithic]] and [[Mesolithic]] periods, as well as the historic period.<ref name="PeregrineEmber2003p315">{{cite book|author1=Peter N. Peregrine|author2=Melvin Ember|title=Encyclopedia of Prehistory: Volume 8: South and Southwest Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C-TQpUtI-dgC&pg=PA315 |year=2003|publisher=Springer Science |isbn=978-0-306-46262-7|pages=315–317}}</ref><ref name=alip15/> It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of [[Stone Age]] starting at the site in [[Acheulian]] times.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Chronology of Indian prehistory from the Mesolithic period to the Iron Age|journal=Journal of Human Evolution|volume=7|pages=37–44|doi=10.1016/S0047-2484(78)80034-7 |quote=The microlithic occupation there is the last one, as the Stone Age started there with Acheulian times. These rock shelters have been used to light fires even up to recent times by the tribals. This is re-fleeted in the scatter of 14C dates from Bhimbetka|year=1978|last1=Agrawal|first1=D.P.|last2=Krishnamurthy|first2=R.V.|last3=Kusumgar|first3=Sheela|last4=Pant|first4=R.K.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=07HGDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT7|title=A Short History of India: From the Earliest Civilisations to Today's Economic Powerhouse|page=17|publisher=Oldcastle Books Ltd|first=Gordon|last=Kerr|isbn=9781843449232|date=2017-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Neda Hosse in Tehrani|author2= Shahida Ansari| author3= Kamyar Abdi| title= Anthropogenic Processes in Caves/Rock Shelters in Izeh Plain (Iran) and Bhimbetka Region (India)|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute| volume=76|pages= 237–248| year=2016|quote=the rock shelter site of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh exhibits the earliest traces of human life|jstor= 26264790}}</ref> It is located in the [[Raisen District]] in the Indian [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] about {{convert|45|km}} south-east of [[Bhopal]]. It is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over {{Cvt|10|km}}.<ref name=alip15>Javid, Ali and Javeed, Tabassum (2008), ''World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India'', Algora Publishing, 2008, pages 15–19</ref><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/925/documents/ Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Advisory Body Evaluation], UNESCO, pages 43–44</ref> At least some of the shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago.<ref name="alip15"/><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Advisory Body Evaluation], UNESCO, pages 14–15</ref> The rock shelters and caves provide evidence of, according to Encyclopædia Britannica, a "rare glimpse" into human settlement and cultural evolution from hunter-gatherers, to agriculture, and expressions of [[Prehistoric religion|prehistoric spirituality]].<ref name=britannicabhimbetka/>

Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric [[cave painting]]s and the earliest are about 10,000 years old (c. 8,000 BCE), corresponding to the Indian [[Mesolithic]].<ref name="YM">{{cite book |last1=Mathpal |first1=Yashodhar |title=Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka |date=1984 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=9788170171935 |page=220 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GG7-CpvlU30C&pg=PA220 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SKT">{{cite book |last1=Tiwari |first1=Shiv Kumar |title=Riddles of Indian Rockshelter Paintings |date=2000 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=9788176250863 |page=189 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-jO0fvT4r9gC&pg=PA189 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Unesco">{{cite book |title=Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka |date=2003 |publisher=UNESCO |page=16 |url=https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf}}</ref><ref name="SM">{{cite book |last1=Mithen |first1=Steven |title=After the Ice: A Global Human History, 20,000 - 5000 BC |date=2011 |publisher=Orion |isbn=9781780222592 |page=524 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uaxg_QDSsrQC&pg=PT524 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AJ">{{cite book |last1=Javid |first1=Ali |last2=Jāvīd |first2=ʻAlī |last3=Javeed |first3=Tabassum |title=World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India |date=2008 |publisher=Algora Publishing |isbn=9780875864846 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54XBlIF9LFgC&pg=PA19 |language=en}}</ref> These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting.<ref name=bhim3/><ref name=bhim1/> The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India,<ref name="Pearsall2008p1951">{{cite book|author=Deborah M. Pearsall|title= Encyclopedia of archaeology|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RnoUAQAAIAAJ|year =2008|publisher =Elsevier Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-373643-7|pages=1949–1951}}</ref> as well as is one of the largest prehistoric complexes.<ref name=britannicabhimbetka/><ref>{{cite book|author1=Jo McDonald|author2=Peter Veth|title=A Companion to Rock Art|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=excwzC1zhY0C&pg=PT291|year=2012|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-25392-2|pages=291–293}}</ref>

As of February 2021, [[Dickinsonia]] has been reported at Bhimbetka.<ref name="DG">{{cite news |title=Dickinsonia discovered in India and late Ediacaran biogeography |date=2021 |doi=10.1016/j.gr.2020.11.008 |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2020.11.008 |language=en}}</ref>

== Location ==
[[File:Information Palette Bhimbetka (3).jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Bhimbetka location]]
[[File:Path way Bhembetika (2).jpg|thumb|left|[[Archaeological Survey of India]] monument number N-MP-225]]
[[File:1 of the rock shelter caves at Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh.jpg|thumb|left|One of about 750 rock shelter caves at Bhimbetka]]
The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka is 45 kilometres south-east of Bhopal and 9 km from [[Obedullaganj]] city in the [[Raisen District]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] at the southern edge of the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya]] Range. South of these rock shelters are successive ranges of the [[Satpura]] hills. It is inside the ''[[Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary]]'', embedded in sandstone rocks, in the foothills of the Vindhya Range.<ref name=britannicabhimbetka>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Bhimbetka-rock-shelters Bhimbetka rock shelters], Encyclopaedia Britannica</ref><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, pages 14–18, 22–23, 30–33</ref> The site consists of seven hills: Vinayaka, Bhonrawali, Bhimbetka, Lakha Juar (east and west), Jhondra and Muni Babaki Pahari.<ref name="PeregrineEmber2003p315"/>

== History ==

W. Kincaid, a British India era official, first mentioned Bhimbetka in a scholarly paper in 1888. He relied on the information he gathered from local [[adivasi]]s (tribals) about Bhojpur lake in the area and referred to Bhimbetka as a [[Buddhist]] site.<ref name=asiunesco54>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, page 54</ref> The first archaeologist to visit a few caves at the site and discover its prehistoric significance was [[V. S. Wakankar]], who saw these rock formations and thought these were similar to those he had seen in Spain and France. He visited the area with a team of archaeologists and reported several prehistoric rock shelters in 1957.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=925|title=Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka|publisher=World Heritage Site|access-date=2007-02-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070308082739/https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=925| archive-date= 8 March 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

It was only in the 1970s that the scale and true significance of the Bhimbetka rock shelters was discovered and reported.<ref name=asiunesco54/> Since then, more than 750 rock shelters have been identified. The Bhimbetka group contains 243 of these, while the Lakha Juar group nearby has 178 shelters. According to [[Archaeological Survey of India]], the evidence suggests that there has been a continuous human settlement here from the [[Stone Age]] through the late [[Acheulian]] to the late [[Mesolithic]] until the 2nd century BCE in these caves. This is based on excavations at the site, the discovered artifacts and wares, pigments in deposits, as well as the rock paintings.<ref name=bhimbetka15>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, pages 15–16, 22–23, 45, 54–60</ref>

The site contains the world's oldest stone walls and floors.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Rock Art and Its Global Context|author1=Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty|author2=Robert G. Bednarik|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|page=29}}</ref>

[[Barkheda, Raisen|Barkheda]] has been identified as the source of the raw materials used in some of the monoliths discovered at Bhimbetka.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/925.pdf | title = Bhimbetka (India) No. 925 | publisher = UNESCO World Heritage Centre | access-date = 2012-04-28 }}</ref>

The site consisting of 1,892 hectares was declared as protected under Indian laws and came under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1990.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, pages 10, 53</ref> It was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2003.<ref name=britannicabhimbetka/><ref>[http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_rockart_bhimbetka.asp World Heritage Sites – Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327162814/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_rockart_bhimbetka.asp |date=27 March 2014 }}, Archaeological Survey of India</ref>

== Auditorium cave ==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Entrance of bhimbetka.jpg
| width1 = 160
| caption1 = Bhimbetka quartzite towers
| image2 = Entry to "Auditorium Cave".jpg
| width2 = 160
| caption2 = Auditorium cave
}}

Of the numerous shelters, the Auditorium cave is one of the significant features of the site. Surrounded by quartzite towers which are visible from several kilometres' distance, the Auditorium rock is the largest shelter at Bhimbetka. Robert Bednarik describes the prehistoric Auditorium cave as one with a "cathedral-like" atmosphere, with "its Gothic arches and soaring spaces".<ref name=bednarik63/> Its plan resembles a "right-angled cross" with four of its branches aligned to the four cardinal directions. The main entrance points to the east. At the end of this eastern passage, at the cave's entrance, is a boulder with a near-vertical panel that is distinctive, one visible from distance and all directions. In archaeology literature, this boulder has been dubbed as "Chief's Rock" or "King's Rock", though there is no evidence of any rituals or its role as such.<ref name=bednarik63/><ref>Robert Bednarik (1993), Palaeolithic Art in India, ''Man and Environment'', Volume 18, Number 2, pages 33–40</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=Manoj Kumar | title=Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology | chapter=Bhimbetka Rockshelters | publisher=Springer New York | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-4419-0426-3 | doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2286 | pages=867–870}}</ref> The boulder with the Auditorium cave is the central feature of the Bhimbetka, midst its 754 numbered shelters spread over few kilometres on either side, and nearly 500 locations where rock paintings can be found, states Bednarik.<ref name=bednarik63>Robert G Bednarik (1996), The cupules on Chief's Rock, Auditorium Cave, Bhimbetka, The Artifact: Journal of the Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria, Volume 19, pages 63–71</ref>

== Rock art and paintings ==

The rock shelters and caves of Bhimbetka have a large number of paintings. The oldest paintings are found to be 10,000 years old,<ref name="YM"/><ref name="SKT"/><ref name="Unesco"/><ref name="SM"/><ref name="AJ"/> but some of the geometric figures date to as recently as the [[Middle Ages|medieval period]]. The colours used are vegetable colours which have endured through time because the drawings were generally made deep inside a niche or on inner walls. The drawings and paintings can be classified under seven different periods.

'''Period I''' – ([[Upper Paleolithic]]): These are linear representations, in green and dark red, of huge figures of animals such as [[bison]], [[tiger]]s and [[rhinoceros]]es.{{dubious|date=August 2019}}{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

'''Period II''' – ([[Mesolithic]]): Comparatively small in size the stylised figures in this group show linear decorations on the body. In addition to animals there are human figures and hunting scenes, giving a clear picture of the weapons they used: barbed [[spear]]s, pointed sticks, [[bow and arrow|bows and arrows]].<ref name=bhim3/><ref name=bhim1/><ref name=bhim2/> Some scenes are interpreted as depicting tribal war between three tribes symbolised by their animal totems.<ref name="PeregrineEmber2003p315"/><ref>{{cite book|title=South Asian Prehistory: A Multidisciplinary study|author=D. P. Agrawal, J. S. Kharakwal |page=149 |publisher =Aryan Books International}}</ref> The depiction of communal dances, birds, musical instruments, mothers and children, pregnant women, men carrying dead animals, drinking and burials appear in rhythmic movement.<ref name=bhim3>Yashodhar Mathpal, 1984, [https://books.google.com/books?id=GG7-CpvlU30C&pg=PA214 Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka], Page 214.</ref><ref name=bhim1>M. L. Varad Pande, Manohar Laxman Varadpande, 1987, [https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8170172217 History of Indian Theatre], Volume 1, Page 57.</ref><ref name=bhim2>[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8170171539 Dance In Indian Painting], Page xv.</ref>

'''Period III''' – ([[Chalcolithic]]) Similar to the paintings of the Mesolithic, these drawings reveal that during this period the cave dwellers of this area were in contact with the agricultural communities of the [[Malwa]] plains, exchanging goods with them.

'''Period IV & V''' – (Early historic): The figures of this group have a schematic and decorative style and are painted mainly in red, white and yellow. The association is of riders, depiction of religious symbols, tunic-like dresses and the existence of scripts of different periods. The religious beliefs are represented by figures of [[yaksha]]s, tree gods and magical sky chariots.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

'''Period VI & VII''' – (Medieval): These paintings are geometric linear and more schematic, but they show degeneration and crudeness in their artistic style. The colors used by the cave dwellers were prepared by combining black [[manganese oxide]]s, red [[hematite]] and [[charcoal]].

One rock, popularly referred to as "Zoo Rock", depicts [[elephant]]s, [[barasingha]] (swamp deer), [[bison]] and [[deer]]. Paintings on another rock show a [[peacock]], a [[snake]], a deer and the sun. On another rock, two elephants with tusks are painted. Hunting scenes with hunters carrying bows, [[arrow]]s, [[sword]]s, and shields also find their place in the community of these pre-historic paintings. In one of the caves, a bison is shown in pursuit of a hunter while his two companions appear to stand helplessly nearby; in another, some horsemen are seen, along with archers. In one painting, a large wild bovine (possibly a [[gaur]] or [[bison]]) is seen.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

The paintings are classified largely in two groups, one as depictions of hunters and food gatherers, and in others as fighters, riding on horses and elephant carrying metal weapons. The first group of paintings date to prehistoric times while second one dates to historic times.<ref>{{cite book|title=Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka|page=225|publisher=Abhinav Publications|year=1984|first=Yashodhar|last=Mathpal}}</ref><ref name=Javidp20>{{cite book| author =Javid, Ali and Javeed, Tabassum |title=World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India|publisher=Algora Publishing|year= 2008|page=20}}</ref> Most of the paintings from the historic period depict battles between rulers carrying swords, spears, bows and arrows.<ref name=Javidp20/>

In one of the desolate rock shelters, the painting of a man holding a trident-like staff and dancing has been nicknamed "[[Nataraj]]" by archaeologist [[V. S. Wakankar]].<ref>{{cite book|title= Rock-art of India: Paintings and Engravings|page=123|publisher=Arnold-Heinemann|first=Kalyan Kumar|last=Chakravarty|quote=Nataraj figures from BHIM III E-19 and one from III F −16 are well decorated in fierce mood. Probably they represent conception of a fierce deity like Vedic Rudra.(Wa.kankar, op. cit)'.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Riddles of Indian Rockshelter Paintings|author=Shiv Kumar Tiwari|page=245|publisher=Sarup & Sons}}</ref> It is estimated that paintings in at least 100 rock shelters might have eroded away.<ref>{{cite book|title=After the Ice: A Global Human History, 20,000–5000 BC|page=401|first=Steven|last=Mithen|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=2006|isbn=9780674019997}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%; border-bottom:1px #aaa solid;" heights="150">
File:Rock Shelter 15, Bhimbetka 02.jpg|The only painting in the caves showing a man being attacked by a horned bovine.
File:Dancing painting at Bhimbetka.jpg|Mesolithic dancers at Bhimbetka
File:Bhimbetka Natraj painting.jpg|An eroded painting in the caves showing "Natraj" dancing and holding a trident
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* [[Belum Caves]]
* [[List of Stone Age art#Cave paintings and Rock art|Cave paintings and other rock art]]
* [[Cave paintings in India]]
* [[Cumbe Mayo]], Peru
* [[Pahargarh caves]]
* [[Petroglyph National Monument]]
* [[Rock art]]
* [[Rock carvings at Alta]]
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Bhimbetka}}
{{Commons category|Rock shelters of Bhimbetka}}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=925 UNESCO World Heritage: Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151115173325/http://vm.kemsu.ru/en/mezolith/bhimpet.html Prehistoric Art of Bhimbetka]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021105115224/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2686/bhimbetka_index.htm Bhimbetka Gallery by A. N. Maheshwari]
* [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/rockpain/betaka.htm Pre-historic Paintings of Bhimbetka by L. L. Kamat]
* [http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/ The Rock Art of Central India]
* [http://www.rupestre.net/tracce/?p=3585 TRACCE Online Rock Art Bulletin photogallery by Sarbanidas Roy]

{{World Heritage Sites in India}}
{{Narmada basin}}
{{Prehistoric technology}}
{{Navbox prehistoric caves}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhimbetka Rock Shelters}}
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]
[[Category:Caves of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bhopal]]
[[Category:Prehistoric art]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Raisen district]]
[[Category:Rock art in India]]
[[Category:Caves containing pictograms in India]]
[[Category:Rock shelters]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Madhya Pradesh]]

Bhimbetka rock shelters - Revision history

FerminDodson605: General cleanup and content improvements

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>Vsmith: /* Rock art and paintings */