YV varsity team finds Megalithic paintings in Idupulapaya
Prof. Kankanala Gangaiah, head of department, along with scholars explored a rock art site near Idupulapaya on September 23
KADAPA: A team of history and archaeology researchers from Yogi Vemana University found rock paintings belonging to the Megalithic culture period in Idupulapaya. A near-exact date of the paintings can be ascertained only after further explorations and scientific study.
Prof. Kankanala Gangaiah, head of department, along with scholars explored a rock art site near Idupulapaya on September 23.
Megalithic practices have persisted for a long time in India, starting around 1300 BC and continuing up to 200 BC. A feature of the Megalith Culture is in its burial practices and various ways to execute it. One can find various types of burials like pit burials, stone circles, cairn burials and menhirs.
This rock shelter is situated in the proximity of Idupulapaya IIIT and YSR Ghat. A water stream trail leads to the site. The main rock shelter is part of a plateau while the main shelter faces the nearby stream. There is a cave above the ground level at 10.5 mts height with a narrow platform.
The drawing is found around the ground level rock cave structures and on the ceiling wall of the upper deck cave structure. It is a steep vertical rock climb to reach the upper plate. The way to climb to the upper plate is marked by some artistic sketches. All the pictures on the site found by the team are painted in white ochre material using brush technique.
Most of the paintings are in the open. The team presumes the possibility of megalithic burials in and around the rock shelter, which is covered under thick vegetation. The team studied the various themes of drawings in white pigment drawn in scattered manner all along the shelter. The various pictures drawn can be classified as Stick drawings of humans as individual warriors with swords, human warriors riding on horseback holding swords, humans in groups in war scenes and performing rituals, mask-decorated man, birdman or a man sacrificing a bull, drawings of elephant, horse, tiger, humped bull, religious symbols like Swastika, trident, a circle with three spikes, symbols like ladder, circle and Nandi pada can be found on the rocks on the bank of the stream.
It is a wonderful rock art site situated in a picturesque location.
Varsity Vice-Chancellor Prof. Munagala Suryakalavathi appreciated the efforts of the team and their findings at Idupulapaya.