Cultural Landscape in India Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

“A living site set in its natural environment”

Cultural Heritage Conservation and SustainabilityTongji UniversityProf. HAN Feng

December’2016

Aanal Agrawal1693144

LOCATION

•Bhimbetka, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh – Foothills of VindhyanMountains of Central Indian Plateau•Archaeologist – Prof. Wakankar•Best known rock art in the country•UNESCO’s World Heritage – 2003

Spread over seven low sedimentaryhills.

Massive naturally created rockformations through wind erosioncrest the bhimbetka hills making iteasily accessible for kilometersaround.

These hills have varied clusters ofsuch rocks, each surrounded byprotected forests which exhibit ahistory and evolution of manthrough several cultural layers.

The site complex is a magnificentrepository of rock paintings within naturalrock shelters with archaeologicalevidences of habitation from Paleolithicperiod to the Medieval period.

Lower Paleolithic

Upper Paleolithic Mesolithic Early

Historic Medieval

Pebble Tools Hand Axes Cleavers

The tools are probably more than 1,00,000 years old and some of the first tools human made for the daily necessities.

Lower Paleolithic

Upper Paleolithic Mesolithic Early

Historic Medieval

Scrappers Cleavers Hand Axes

The same shows the evidence of hunting and gathering economy.

Lower Paleolithic

Upper Paleolithic Mesolithic Early

Historic Medieval

Burins Bores Blades

Lower Paleolithic

Upper Paleolithic Mesolithic Early

Historic Medieval

Stone and Bone Tools Iron implements & Utensils Ornaments

Lower Paleolithic

Upper Paleolithic Mesolithic Early

Historic Medieval

Lower Paleolithic

Upper Paleolithic Mesolithic Early

Historic Medieval

Mauryan Inscriptions Shanka Lipi inscriptions

The site has thus been an important evidence of evolution of human activities from Early Paleolithic period to Medieval times.

All the evidences has been found in 450 rock shelters, suggesting that the activities were carried out in these shelters which were treated as homes.

Present state of conservation

1. Ecology and Environment2. Rock Shelters3. Rock Paintings

Geomorphology Flora & Fauna Water Sources

Present state of conservationThe rock shelters arenaturally formed due toerosion over a period of timeor by readjustment of looserocks.

•Exfoliation of surfacescaused by weathering•Evidence of cracks•Surface run off of rain water•Differential fading of surfaceby direct sunlight.

1. Ecology and Environment2. Rock Shelters3. Rock Paintings

Present state of conservation

1. Ecology and Environment2. Rock Shelters3. Rock Paintings

Listed by UNESCO in 2003.

Criterion (III) : Bhimbetka reflects a long interaction between people andlandscape, as demonstrated in the quantity and quality of its rock art.

Criterion (V) : Bhimbetka is closely associated with hunting and gathering economyas demonstrated in the rock art and in the relicts of this tradition in the local adivasivillages on the periphery of this site.

Criterion

Threats

Development Pressure

Environmental Pressure

Multiple Agencies Involved

Conservation Plan

Authenticity and Integrity

The site lies undisturbed and artificially unaltered. The site falls within a designated wildlife sanctuary and protected forest area, it continues to preserve natural ecological balances and so also the essence of symbolic relationship between man and nature through its uninterrupted existence, thus any change has been through the forces of nature.

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