Anantapur: Rock paintings in Rayalaseema is attracting historians to study and protect them.
The recent discovery of rock paintings in the hill area of Rukalagundu in Payakattu Pothulavandlapalli in Gandlapenta mandal in Anantapur district has forced the archaeology department to initiate measures to protect the paintings.
After the ancient paintings at Rukalagundu were brought to light by this newspaper, archaeological department officials conducted a study. Department official, Ramasubba Reddy recalled that the rock paintings were located at a big stone called Rukalagundu. No clear path existed to reach it. Herders take rest at the location tucked away from sun light.
Officials tried to create awareness among the farmers not to damage the rock paintings. Rock paintings were also discovered at Enugulagavi in Yenumuladoddi village in Kundupri.
Further, the existing rock paintings at Rasasiddula Gutta, presently historic Jain monument of Jambu Dweepa Chakram located near Konakondla in Vajrakarur mandal in the district are being protected following several measures taken up the archaeology department.
Meanwhile, Budagavi, a small village situated in Uravakonda mandal which is named after Buddhist stupas is in a deep rock shelter on the top of hillock facing east. The vegetation on the granite hill is mainly spiny bushes. “Mesolithic and Neolithic tools were found on the granite hillock. The site was discovered by Robert Bruce Foote in 1970s”, sources said.
Systematic excavations at the sites may yield evidence belonging to various culture periods particularly the Neolithic phase, sources said. However, Kethavaram rock art caves, about one kilometre distance from Kethavaram village in Orvakal mandal in Kurnool district, have caves in which pre historic people drew paintings on the walls by using natural colours made from earth, herbs and flowers.
Historians claim that the paintings were done 10,000-30,000 years ago.
The site also contains artefacts and tools used by people in the upper Paleolithic and later periods of early human civilization, officials said.
