Archaeology enthusiast R. Rathnakar Reddy and his team have urged the authorities to take steps to protect the pre-historic rock art sites in the forest outskirts of Dasarlapalli village in Mulugu mandal of the district.
The sites, documented by Mr. Reddy along with Vinay Goli and local youth, contain pre-historic paintings, microlithic tools and other archaeological remains believed to date from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic age.
According to them, the sites provides important evidence of early human habitation and cultural evolution in the region.
One of the major sites, locally known as, Enugu Gundu (Elephant Rock), is located at an altitude of 624 metres above sea level.
The paintings depict animals such as deer and cattle along with human figures. One prominent image shows a human carrying a long harpoon-like weapon with backward-facing prongs. Researchers noted that some paintings have already suffered damage due to exposure to rain and weathering.
A painting of an elephant on the ‘Enugula Gundu’ at Dasarlapalli village in Mulugu mandal of the district.
Adjacent to the site is a “musical rock” containing 24 cup marks, believed to have been used by pre-historic humans for recreational or ritualistic purposes. Nearby grooves, attributed to the Neolithic age, are believed to have been used for sharpening stone weapons.
R. Ratnakar Reddy (centre) and others at a prehistoric rock art site on the forest outskirts of Dasarlapalli village in Mulugu mandal of Siddipet district.
Another site, locally referred to as Eddula Gundu (Bull Rock), contains two bull figures and traces of pre-historic paint markings, while a third site known as Quarry Gundu features bull figures and script-like symbols associated with pre-historic human activity. The team also found microlithic hunting tools in abundance across the area.