In a recent archaeological survey of the lower River Krishna Valley, an intriguing discovery was made by archaeologist D. Kanna Babu. On a hillock at Orvakallu, natural rock shelters were found, which had served as homes for prehistoric humans. Among these shelters, two caves stood out, adorned with remarkable rock paintings dating back to the Mesolithic Age, approximately from 5000 BC. We will explores the significance of these paintings, their materials, and the insights they provide into the culture and way of life of the people of that era.

The Enigmatic Paintings:

The rock paintings found on the back walls and ceilings of the Orvakallu rock shelters depict a person engaged in tilling a piece of land. These paintings were created using natural white kaolin and red ochre pigments. Ochre, a pigment consisting of clay, sand, and ferric oxide, was used to achieve the vibrant red coloration, while kaolin, a soft, earthy mineral resulting from the weathering of aluminum silicate minerals, provided the white hue.

Materials and Techniques:
  • The natural white kaolin pigment was sourced from the weathering of aluminum silicate minerals, primarily feldspar.
  • Red ochre pigment was composed of clay, sand, and ferric oxide, lending a striking red color to the paintings.
  • The paintings were likely created using rudimentary brushes made from plant fibers, animal hair, or even fingers.
  • The artist applied the pigments to the rock surface, possibly mixing them with water or organic substances to enhance their fluidity.
Insights into the Culture:

The rock paintings offer valuable insights into the culture and way of life of the people who created them during the Mesolithic Age. By depicting a person tilling a piece of land, these paintings suggest a semi-settled life pattern. Some notable aspects include:

  1. Agriculture and Cultivation:
  • The presence of an individual engaged in tilling implies that agriculture played a crucial role in the community’s subsistence.
  • Crop cultivation might have been a fundamental activity, indicating a transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled existence.
  • The paintings serve as evidence of early agricultural practices and shed light on the community’s relationship with the land.
  1. Semi-Settled Life:
  • The paintings suggest that the community had established a semi-settled lifestyle, residing in the rock shelters and engaging in agricultural activities.
  • This semi-settled existence might have allowed them to cultivate crops while still maintaining a degree of mobility.

Important Points:

  • The Mesolithic rock paintings were discovered in natural rock shelters at Orvakallu.
  • The paintings depict a person tilling a piece of land.
  • Two caves in Orvakallu were adorned with these distinguished rock paintings.
  • The paintings were created during the Mesolithic Age, around 5000 BC.
  • Natural white kaolin and red ochre pigments were used for the paintings.
  • Ochre is a pigment composed of clay, sand, and ferric oxide.
  • Kaolinite is a soft, earthy mineral resulting from the weathering of aluminum silicate minerals like feldspar.
  • The paintings suggest a semi-settled life pattern.
  • The community engaged in crop cultivation and agriculture.
  • The paintings provide insights into the transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled existence.
  • The rock shelters served as homes for prehistoric humans.
  • The paintings demonstrate the resourcefulness and ingenuity of our ancestors.
  • Preservation and study of cultural heritage help us understand our shared past.
Why In News

D. Kanna Babu, a renowned archaeologist, recently unearthed a remarkable Mesolithic rock painting. The fascinating artwork portrays an individual skillfully tilling a piece of land, shedding light on the early agricultural practices of the ancient Mesolithic civilization.

MCQs about The Mesolithic Rock Paintings of Orvakallu

  1. What materials were used to create the rock paintings at Orvakallu?
    A. Natural white kaolin and red ochre pigments
    B. Synthetic paints and dyes
    C. Charcoal and mud
    D. Gold and silver
    Correct Answer: A. Natural white kaolin and red ochre pigments
    Explanation: The natural white kaolin and red ochre pigments were used to create the rock paintings at Orvakallu.
  2. What does the depiction of a person tilling a piece of land in the rock paintings suggest?
    A. The community’s reliance on hunting and gathering
    B. The presence of advanced architectural features
    C. A transition to a settled agricultural lifestyle
    D. The influence of neighboring civilizations
    Correct Answer: C. A transition to a settled agricultural lifestyle
    Explanation: The rock paintings indicate a semi-settled life pattern with the cultivation of crops, suggesting a shift from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
  3. What were the rock shelters at Orvakallu primarily used for?
    A. Storage of food and resources
    B. Protection from natural disasters
    C. Religious ceremonies and rituals
    D. Living spaces for prehistoric humans
    Correct Answer: D. Living spaces for prehistoric humans
    Explanation: The natural rock shelters at Orvakallu served as homes for the prehistoric humans who inhabited the area.
  4. What significance do the rock paintings hold for understanding human civilization?
    A. They reveal the development of writing systems
    B. They showcase advanced artistic techniques
    C. They provide insights into early agricultural practices
    D. They demonstrate the use of complex tools and machinery
    Correct Answer: C. They provide insights into early agricultural practices
    Explanation: The rock paintings indicate a semi-settled life pattern and the cultivation of crops, offering valuable insights into the early agricultural practices of the community during the Mesolithic Age.

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