Bhimbetka

If one has to witness the earliest traces of mankind in India, one should visit the Bhimbetka rock shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site) near Bhopal (M.P) . Nestled in the majestic Vindhya ranges these rock shelters have witnessed changing cultural life form on the Indian subcontinent. 

These rock shelters contain paintings and sketches which are dated to the lower paleolithic age (15,000yrs ago). More surprising is the fact that most of these paintings are coloured. (mainly red and white) . The colours used were mostly made by combining manganese, hematite, soft red stone and wooden charcoal, animal fats and leave extracts were also used.  The paintings depict the day to day life of the cave dwellers, hunting expeditions, war  scenes, cultural gatherings, animals of various kinds, ritual symbols etc.

Excavations in and around these rock shelters has helped the historians to study in detail on the lives of the  first humans in India and the progress they made as generations  passed on, by adapting to various environments around them.  It is equally surprising that this shelters have been well preserved (perhaps due to their remoteness) and are on display to the current generation. Bhimbetka rock shelters provide an excellent opprurtunity to look in to the window of history and retrace the first steps of mankind in India. Dont miss the oppurtunity if you happen to pass by.