1. The document discusses the prehistoric archaeological sites found in the Ganga Valley region of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, including rock art sites in the Kaimur hills. 2. It summarizes excavations that have uncovered artifacts from the Middle Paleolithic through Chalcolithic periods, indicating human habitation in the region dating back 100,000 years. 3. The document analyzes the geo-ecology of the region and suggests that the early inhabitants who occupied sites like Koldihwa and Mahagada during the Neolithic would have been the authors of the rock art found in the numerous rock shelter sites across the Kaimur hills.

1. Shanker Sharma, Sachin Kr. Tiwary
Archaeological Survey of India
DEPARTMENTOFARCHAEOLOGY,KERALAUNIVERSITY
JOINTANNUALCONFERENCEOFIAS,ISPQSandIHCS
Thiruvananthapuram,11thto13thNovember,2011

2. •After A. C. L. Carlyle (1867) & Cockburn (1883) the region has
been reinvestigated by many of scholars & reported a good nos. of
rock shelter, rock art & other archaeological remains ascribing to
the Epi-Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic followed by
Historic period.
•But it is still become mysterious among the scholars that
who were the author of these art activities ?
•After proper compilation & study of the materials found in
different excavations, explorations of various cultural sites in its
surrounding geo-co-ordinates, This effort has been made to
identified the authors of these art forms.
Introduction

3. U.P. BIHAR
The study area is located within the territorial boundary of Chandauli dist. Of U.P. and
Kaimur dist. of Bihar in between Lat. 250 1’ 18’’ to 250 4’ 25” N. & Long. 830 20’ 29” E.
covering Kaimur ranges of various hills

4. Geological Map of Vindhyan and adjoining Kaimur range

5. Geo-ecology
• The plateau of the Kaimur is situated
between Lat. 240 24’ & 240 52’ N. &
Long. 830 20’ E. as the crow flies.
• It has the rocks consisting the great
sedimentary series,
• The presence of stone like Sand stones,
Quartzite, Chert, Chalcedony, Agate,
Carnelian, Jasper, Quartz & other
grained rocks (offered a man to rich supply of
raw materials at various stages of his existence)
• The hematite ore is another
supplementary material available in the
area,

6. Flora &Fauna
• In addition to grass and shrubs the flora like bamboo (bambusa), Tendu (Diospyros
melonoxylona), Khair (Acacia Cateclm) and mahua (Madhuka Indica) are found in the
area,
• And the selected faunas are tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), bear
(Malurses urinus), monkey (Cerco-pithecidae), Nilgoi (Baslaphus trago camelus), chittal
(Axi-saxis), deer (Cervidae) and jackal (canis awreusinn) are noteworthy
Inhabitant (tribes & semi-tribes)
• Kharwars, Cheros, Agariyas, Binds,
Oraons, Bangas, Bhutiyas, Bhuiyans etc.
River systems & water resources
• The plateau of Kaimur is mother of several rivers, water streams flowing towards the Gangetic
plain,
• The river Karmanasa flows towards the north-west of these settlements, it have the tributaries
namely: Chandraprabha, Guruwat, Durgawati, Dharmavati & Bajarigoria emerged from Kaimur
range,
• Some natural depression making reserve water body in lower part near by the rock shelters &
some Palaeo-channels are there,

7. Depiction of pictographs in rock
• Mesolithic: Mesolithic paintings consisting animal and human life
style,
• Neolithic: Domestication of animals (?)
• Chalcolithic: Chalcolithic paintings are on small scale and
particularly found on Osari Ghat hill depicting human and animal
and some geometrical designed characterized by buff and white
colour.
• Historical: War scene, games
Buddhist etc.

8. Mesolithic

9. Mesolithic

10. Neolithic (?)

11. Chalcolithic

12. Historical

13. Petro glyphs

14. Some notable rock art sites of Kaimur region
Badap Badki Goriya
Chaya Mundeshwar
y hill
Dhugha
Hill
Mokari khoh
hill
Gaura Hill Patesar
Kokhardan Dewane
Mokwa
Rauta Jhapia hill/
Lekhania
Sarodog
Madra
Prewa
Chandan
Shahid
Fulwariya Kohabarwa
maan
Chhamahiya
Hill
Amilo Hill Mushaharwa
maan/
Kachhuwar
maan
Tarachandi Bannu
Khoh
Banar Sabha
Hilll
Luner
bigahiya
maan
Majhor maan
Gita ghat Gandke Khoh
Hill
Kadim kund Kachhuar maan
Singai kund Meethai ya
maan
Badaki kapari Mangarua maan
Bundhi khoh Chanain maan
Jamania
mand
Inarbighahiya
maan
Baga Pahari
Baghaikhor
Bedia
Khari Pathari
Lekhania
Marchhahia
Thar Pahara
Lehariya dih
Sahabiya
Munni -baba
Panchamukhi
Kanda kot
Chand manava
Kohbar
Ghor mangar
Maldariya
Mahadaria
Chunar
Basahan
Ghurahupur
Yogini ki Mand
Osari ghat
Gahadas shah
pur
Bangarh
ROHTAS KAIMUR MIRZAPURCHANDAULI
Ramgarhwa
Chhatarpalia
Chandda tari
Lakhaar
Chandawa
ALLAHABD

15. List of Prehistoric sites reported in the Ganga Valley
 EPI-PALAEOLITHIC SITE (Masahi belonging upper Palaeolithic)
• Pratapgarh: Mandah, Salhipur, Suleman Prabatpur
• Allahabad: Ahiri
• Varanasi: Garhwa
 MESOLITHIC-NON-GEOMETRIC
• Pratapgarh: Aip ka purwa, Akoa (Akhaua), Akhohia, Amuwahi, Andewari,
Ankaripur, Asudi, Atarsand, Bani, Baladih, Balipur, Baron, Banpurwa, Bansi ka
Purwa, Basauli, Chamrupur, Dalapur, Elahi ka dih, Garahi, Haidarpur, Jahanpur,
Kaharia, Lakhipur, Madha-i-sarai, Nagapur, Pachauri, Rajpur, Sadhaipur, Taradih,
Usrapur, Warikalan,
• Sultanpur: Hathauratal, Garayen, Rahgaipur, Sultanpur,
• Jaunpur: Dhanikpurwa, Kaithora, Pure Gange Mani
• Allahabad: Bhikhampur, Kurha, Maharudih, Jamunipur,
• Varanasi: Bankat Bhikhari Rampur.
 MESOLITHIC-GEOMETRIC
• Pratpagarh: Bachhuha, Balapur, Dharampur, Hainsipariya, Jetapur, Kanjkhas,
Mahadaha, Misirpur II, Pura Nagaiya, Raigarh, Sarai Nahar Rai, Sobhipur, Utras,
• Jaunpur: Lohina, Nagguli, Pura gambhirshah
• Allahabad: Bichhia
 NEOLITHIC-CHALCOLITHIC
• Koldihwa, Mahagada, Kunjhum, Lahuradewa, Tokwa (Ganga Plain)
• Lekhahiya (Kaimur), Chopanimando (Belan Valley)

16. STRATIGRAPHY OF THE PREHISTORIC CULTURE IN THE BELAN AND SON VALLEY
CHRONOLOGY TIME
Lower Paleolithic 100000 B.P. *
Middle Palaeolithic 58000-45000 B.P. *
Upper Palaeolithic 39000- 20000 B.P. *
Epi - Palaeolithic. 20000-16000 B.P *
Mesolithic 10,000-8,000, B.P. *
Neolithic 6000-3000 B.P. *
14 c dates of few sites/region
SITE/REGION DATES in B.C.
Belan & Son Valley
(Upper Palaeolithic)
24,000 to 18,000
Baghor –II of Son Valley
(Mesolithic)
6380 ± 220.
Lekhahiya Rock Shelter-I in Mirzapur,
(Mesolithic)
6420 ± 200
Koldihwa
(Neolithic)
5440 ± 240
4530 ± 185
6570 ±210
Senuwar (Neo-Chalcolithic) 1170 ± 120
* Comparative/Typological

17. Exploration & Excavations finds in surroundings
• Artifacts belonging to Middle Palaeolithic industries in Karmanasa
Valley, Naugarh area, Chandauli dist.
• Sandag forest (around villages Baralia and Kuraila about 25 k.m.
south-east of Robertsganj) have given evidence of the upper
palaeolithic tools,
• Morahana Pahar, Baghaikhor and Lekhahia (all in Mirzapur district)
have revealed a sequence from non-geometric pre-potteries to
geometric type associated with pottery.
• Baira Doomuhawa, Varanasi & Garhwa on Chandraprabha river
yielded settlement of the Epi-palaeolithic & Mesolithic period.
• Bankat-Bhikari-Rampur and Garhawa, Varanasi revealed antiquities
belonging to Mesolithic period.
• In the region between the valleys of Chandraprabha, Varanasi and
Karmanasa river ( Chandauli) microlithic tools consisting parallel
sided blades, blunted back blades, lunets, burins etc.
• Senuwar revealed Neolithic & Chalcolithic affinities.

18. Discussion
• Since the area were geo-ecologically favorable to the early man
for settlement, accordingly nos. of sites have been found
belonging to the Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolihic and Epi-
palaeolithic followed by the Mesolithic, Neolithic & Chalcolithic in
the region,
• Cultural materialism of twin sites Koldihwa-Mahagarha (Ganga
Plain) typologically shows more similar with the Senuwarian
Neolithic followed by the chalcolithic,
These settlers perhaps left their impression in
the rock shelters/cave in form of pictographs & petroglyphs,