Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh

Bhimbetka rock shelters are a group of natural rock shelters located in the Vindhya Range's foothills in central India. They are located in west-central Madhya Pradesh, around 45 kilometers south of Bhopal. The complex, which was discovered in 1957 and consists of over 700 shelters, is one of India's major prehistoric art collections. In 2003, the shelters were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds the complex.

The sandstone rock in the Bhimbetka region is studded with massively carved structures. 243 shelters have been explored on the Bhimbetka site's hill alone, where the most of the archaeological research has been centered since 1971, with 133 of them containing rock art. Archaeologists have discovered a great number of artifacts in the caves, dense teak forests, and cultivated fields surrounding Bhimbetka, the oldest of which are Acheulean stone tool assemblages.

The paintings are divided into prehistoric periods and demonstrate a great deal of liveliness and narrative talent. The oldest are enormous linear images of rhinoceroses and bears from the Late Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age). Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) paintings are smaller and depict human activities in addition to animals. Early human notions of agriculture are depicted in drawings from the Chalcolithic Period (early Bronze Age). Finally, religious motifs such as tree gods and magical sky chariots are depicted in decorative paintings dating back to early historical periods. The caverns offer a rare look into the evolution of culture from early nomadic hunter-gatherers to established cultivators to spiritual expressions. The current cultural customs of agrarian peoples living in the villages near Bhimbetka have been seen to reflect those shown in the paintings.

Location:Bhojpur Raisen, Madhya Pradesh 464990, India