Rock Art: An Introduction

Rock Art: An Introduction
Sachin Kr. Tiwary
14th May, 2022, 4:00-5:00 PM. Patna Museum, Bihar
Blombos Cave in South Africa's southern Cape region, 73,000 old

Highlights of today's discussion:
1. What is Rock Art?
2. Synonyms of Rock Art
3. Types of Rock Art
4. What is Cave, Shelter, Open Air Boulder?
5. What different discipline Involves?
6. Study of Rock Art Can Provide
7. Gradual Development of Indian Rock Art research
8. Distribution of Rock Art in India
9. Rock Art of Bihar
10. Purpose of Rock Art
11. Ethno-Rock Art
12. New Techniques involved in
the study of Rock Art.

• Rock art as the term implies is
any type of artistic activity found
on natural rock surface is rock
art.
• Rock Picture, Rock Engraving,
Rock Painting, Prehistoric
Painting, Cave Painting, Cave Art,
Pleistocene Art, Primitive Art,
Prehistoric Art, Early Art, Early
Rock Art, Petroglyphs,
Pictograph, Geoglyphs, etc
4. What is Cave, Shelter,
Open Air Boulder?
5. What different discipline
Involves?
6. Study of Rock Art Can
Provide
7. Gradual Development of
Indian Rock Art research
8. Distribution of Rock Art in
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
12. New Techniques involved
in the study of Rock Art.

Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
a) Petroglyphs or the Extractive art
b) Pictographs or the Pigment art
c) Geoglyphs
d) Petroglyphs-cum-Pictographs

(a) Petroglyphs or the
extractive art (Designs,
carved, abraded or
otherwise cut into cliffs,
boulders, bedrock, or any
natural rock surface, like:
Relief art, Engravings,
Hammering, Chiseling,
Abrading, Incising, Pecking,
Battering, Gouging,
Scratching, Cup-marking,
Bruising, Dotting and
Etching).

(b) Pictographs or the
pigment art (Rock paintings-
designs painted in similar
locations). It does not include
geoglyphs, or petroforms-
designs formed by rock
alignment on the ground.
Technically, Pictographs may
be further divided into four
groups; transparent colour,
opaque colour, dry colour
and stencilled pictographs.
Pictographs are also known
as “rock paintings”.

(c) Geoglyphs or intaglios are made by placing rocks on
the ground to form an image or by clearing the ground of
rocks to outline an image. It is huge designs made on the
ground and are best seen from the air. The ground is
cleared of rocks to make huge figures or shapes.
>100’
https://ratnagiritourism.in/en/wonders/rock-carvings/

(d) Petroglyphs-
cum-Pictographs
means all those rock
art, in which after
petroglyphs,
pictographs has been
done, in the
removed rock
surface. Like this art
we have seen in
Odisan rock art and
Hazaribagh region of
rock art.

Shelter
4. What is Shelter, Cave,
Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art

Forensic science Semiotics
Neurosciences Cognitive sciences
Ethnography Art history
Geomorphology Geochemistry
Conservation science Anthropology
Archaeology
Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
Art History

Houses Style
Way of ritual
practices
Dance forms
House Hold
object
Ornamentation
Dresses
Hunting
Weapon
War
Weapons
Knowledge of
Colour making
technique
cognition
Extinct Flora
& Flora
Palaeo-
ecological
Palaeo-
botanical
Social Life
Style
Study of Rock
Art Can
Provide
Plaeo-
environmental

Structure of Hut and Caring of Pregnant Lady

Gradual Development of Indian Rock Art research
Explorer and Recorders Method of Research and
Achievements
FIRST PERIOD (1867-1930)
A.Carllyle (1867), Francke (1902), Smith (1906),
C.W.Anderson (1918), P. Brown (1923), P.Mishra,
R.B.Foote (1911), J. Cockburn (1883; 1884), F.
Fawcett (1892; 1901), Vincent A Smith (1906), C.A.
Silberrand (1907),
Individual efforts; Discovery by chance Reporting, Not
Tracing; Free hand copying; Short notes, Few article;
Doubt about Date which still in question ?
SECOND PERIOD (1931-1960)
Munn (1935), Khatri (1961), Kathuria (1975), Rao
(1962), Sharma (1973, 1980, 1983 ), Tribedi (1959),
M. Ghosh (1932), D.H.Gordon and M.E. Gordon
(1939), N.P. Chakravarty (1939), V.S. Wakankar
(1955; 1973; 1975; 1976;1978; 1983; 1984; 1992;
Wakankar and Brooks 1976), D.H. Gordon (1958),
Study of well-preserved rock art sites only, Chance
Discovery and Planned exploration started; several
hundred Painted shelters brought to light; Prominent
looking and isolated figures; Free hand and faithful
copying simultaneously; descriptions that are more
detailed; new awareness towards its Study and doubts
on age, writing of books were started, writing started
on thematic elements like weapons, war, sex etc.
THIRD PERIOD (1961-1980)
S.K. Pandey (1965-67; 1969; 1970; 1975; 1984;
1988;1992; 1993; 2001), A. Sundara (1975; 1984;
1987; 2006), S. Tiwari (1975; 1984), Mathapal
(1976; 1984; 1992; 1995; 1998; 2001),
Systematic excavation of painted rock shelters; Ph.D.
work started but very few, scientific reproductions of
rock art; exhaustive regional studies; research
publications; Debate start on its antiquity, several
hundred Painted shelters brought to light; faithful
copying; descriptions that are more detailed;

Gradual Development of Indian Rock Art research
Explorer and Recorders Method of Research and Achievements
FOURTH PERIOD (1981-1990)
G. Kumar (1981; 1983; 1992; 1996, Erwin Neumayer (1983;
1990; 1991; 1992a; 1992b; 1992-93;1993; 2013), V.H.
Sonawane (1984; 1992;1992-93, 1995-96; 1996; 1997;
2002), A.H. Dani (1983), B. Alchin (1985), Varma (1986),
G.S. Tyagi (1988; 1992; 2001),
Increased Ph.D. work, rock art included in books,
curricula and doctoral works, Exhibitions, seminars
and lectures on rock art; antiquity extend to
Mesolithic and Beyond that period, several hundred
Painted shelters brought to light; faithful copying;
descriptions that are more detailed;
FIFTH PERIOD (1990-2000)
R. Tewari (1990; 1992), K. Rajan (1991; 1994; 1996; 1997,
2003, 2008; et al 2004), R.G. Bednark (1990; 1991; 1992;
1993; 1994; 1996; 1998; 2000-01; 2003), N. Chandramouli
(1994; 1995; 1996; 2001; 2002; 2003), S. Pradhan (1995;
2001), Kumar and Sharma (1996, 1988; 1990; 1991; 1992a;
1992b; et al 2005; 2006), Sharma (1998), Amarnath (1996),
Gurumurthy and Sairaman (1996), S.Chakravarty (1996),
Publishing of more books on rock art only, their
description and discovery, Exhibitions, Workshop,
Seminar, Conferences started in world level,
Publication of more and more papers in India as well
as world journals, more attraction of foreign scholars,
use of scientific tool for rock art documentation,
though rock art study was famous but still in isolation,
SIXTH PERIOD (2000-TILL TODAY)
Kumaravelu (2000), Bednarik and Kumar (2002; et al1991;
2005; 2006), A.K. Prasad (2003-2004; 2009), Pawar (2006;
2011; 2012; 2013), Sridhar (2007), Abbas (2004), Sachin
Tiwary (author) (2007-21), Saleem (2008; 2014), Sahu &
Sahu (2011-15).
Publishing of books on rock art and its periphery, now
rock art related to ethnic tradition, rock art is
important part of archaeology, important tool for
decoding of past society, as early rock art was in
isolation now in every aspect rock art study is
important, Use of scientific tool for rock art dating,
Documentation of rock art by using techno-tools.

Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
8. Distribution of Rock Art
in India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
Northern Zone (Himalayan Ranges)
Southern Zone (KR, AP, TL, KL;
Eastern Zone (BR, JH, OD)
Central Zone (MH, MP, UP)
Western Zone (GJ, RJ)
North-Eastern Zone (07 Sisters)

Petrglyphs of Laddakh
Rock art site at the height of
13,000 feet from mean sea
level. The rock art of Laddakh
consists of more than 400
sites. The diversity in style,
subject and distribution are
enormous. All the
petroglyphs are engraved on
the boulders under open sky.
A site may consist of a single
engraved boulder to
hundreds of engraved
boulders. The petroglyphs of
Laddkh are dated to
Neolithic period (4,500 BCE)
based on relative dating
method.

Rock Art of Rajasthan
It is in the western part of
India is the largest rock art
sites in India. Rock
paintings of this region are
a particular form of
paintings done on the
walls and ceilings of the
cave and shelter made of
sandstone by our ancestor.
These executions were the
reflections of their social,
cultural, religious and
economic life. The rock art
of this region are belongs
to Mesolithic period
(12,000 to 2,000 BCE).

Rock Art of Gujarat
The rock paintings of Gujarat are available
as direct evidence from prehistoric times to
historical times. The rock paintings of the
historical period depict a wide variety of
subjects such as religious, political,
economic aspects of the society of the time.
Photo Courtesy: Prof. V.H.Sonawane

Geoglyphs of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra
The most important geoglyph site in India is from Konkan region of
Maharashtra. Geoglyphs in the lateritic zone like Konkan region
possibly carved during the early historical period. It is an important
part of history in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.

Rock Art of Bhimbethakata and Darki-Chattan of Madhya
Pradesh
The only one UNESCO World Heritage Site is Bhimbethaka in India.
This is the earliest petroglyph site having more than 500 cupules
on the cave’s vertical walls. Early stone tools from Chopper-
Chopping to Microliths have been found in excavation from the site
and cupule bearing slabs of rock have also been found in Middle
Palaeolithic deposit so the site may establish India as a cradle of
human cognitive development.

Vellarikombi of Nilgiri
District, Tamilnadu
Human figures with large
decorated headgears are a
specific feature of the site.
Their big size, body
adornment, stylish hairdo is
unique in rock paintings of
India. The local tribe
‘Kurumbas’ believe in the
divine power of paintings of
Vellarikombi, which can heal
their illness and diseases.

Koppagallu hill of Bellary District,
Karnataka
The rock art prominently depicts figures of massive
bulls with big curvy horns and hump sometimes in
form of trident which represent the early the
culture and belief of early farmers and cattle
keepers of Deccan. It is also noticeable that bull is a
scared animal in Indian culture related to lord Shiva.

Edakkal of Wayanad District, Kerala
The petroglyphs of Edakkal are divine human figures and symbols
believed to date 6000 BCE. Such petroglyphs are unique in Indian
rock art. The human figures represent the costumes and
ornamentation of early people of the region.

Rock art of Ushakothi and Cuttack, Odisha
The theme of rock art of Odisha is common throughout the region which
mainly consists of geometric shapes, intricate patterns, hand and foot prints,
some animals like deer, tortoise, fish, lizard etc.

Kauvakhoh of Sonbhadra District, Uttar Pradesh
This is the largest painted shelter available in India till date. The shelter is
important for its vivid depictions representing different aspects of life of
hunter gatherers, early farmers and cattle keepers and local warriors of
Vindhya region.

Isko of Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand
The rock shelter is very important due to its enigmatic feature of
abstract designs and geometric motifs in red and white colour which
cover the whole shelter leaving no space among the paintings.

Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art

Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
Ethno-rock Art tries to interpret and
understand rock art by establishing its
linkages with the ethnic group,
folklores, myths, beliefs, customs,
rituals and their cultural practices’.

D-Stretch software--Jon Harman
Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
12. New Techniques
involved in the study of
Rock Art.

Open Air Boulder?
Involves?
Provide
India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
12. New Techniques
involved in the study of
Rock Art.

4. What is Cave, Shelter, Open Air
Boulder?
Involves?
6. Study of Rock Art Can Provide
7. Gradual Development of Indian
Rock Art research
8. Distribution of Rock Art in India
11. Ethno-Rock Art
12. New Techniques involved in the
study of Rock Art.
What we discussed ?
Thank you

Rock Art: An Introduction

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Rock Art: An Introduction