Bhim Betka (Ujjain), May 11: The mesolithic man who lived in this prehistoric site (near Bhopal) some 10,000 years ago, knew the use of baskets.

Baskets were used to carry fruits, hunted animals and tiny pigs. They were also used to carry children from one place to another.

Paintings showing the use of baskets and other artifacts and tools were found in recent excavations by archaeologists of the Vikram University.

Dr. V.S. Wakankar, who is in charge of the excavations, said money collection was popular during the mesolithic period. People moving from one site to another carrying their bags over the backs and heads had also been seen in the paintings. He said the mesolithic people after coming in contact with the agricultural chalcolithic communities (3,000 to 5,000 years ago) on the plains of Malwa appeared to have lost their art of active and dynamic paintings and their style showed a static emergence influenced by the chalcolithic pottery drawings.

Cave art of the upper palaeolithic age has also been found in about 300 caves and shelters explored in the rocky terrain.

At least 1,300 such shelters have so far been explored in this region.