Archive · 2 Aug 2025
Prehistoric Rock Art Discovered in Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve
Imagine ancient people living in a forest, like in the time of cavemen!
They were hunter-gatherers, and they made drawings on the walls of a cave-like shelter.
These drawings show animals like deer and wild boars, and also some cool shapes.
These paintings are very old, some made by people who used tiny stone tools.
The people who found these paintings were not scientists, but the forest rangers who watch over the park.
This is an exciting find because it shows us how people lived a very long time ago!
Prehistoric rock shelter paintings were discovered in the Manpur buffer zone of Bandhavgarh National Park.
The paintings, primarily in red ochre, depict animals, abstract designs, and are superimposed on the rock face.
The site, known as Sita Chowk, includes paintings from prehistoric and historical periods.
Microliths, small stone tools, found nearby suggest the presence of advanced hunter-gatherers.
The discovery was made by forest department staff, highlighting their role in uncovering archaeological sites.
- Who
- Forest department staff discovered the paintings.
- What
- Discovery of prehistoric rock shelter paintings.
- When
- The discovery happened a couple of months ago, with the site visit in early June.
- Where
- Manpur buffer zone of Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- To understand the history of ancient hunter-gatherers and their art.
Traditional View
Alternative Perspective
Who Deserves Credit?
Traditional View
Archaeologists and academics are typically credited with uncovering archaeological finds.
Alternative Perspective
Forest department staff are the actual discoverers.
- Location
- Sita Chowk, Manpur buffer zone, Bandhavgarh National Park
- Paintings
- Red ochre, depicting animals and abstract designs
- Period
- Prehistoric and historical periods
- Tools
- Microliths (small stone tools)
- Discoverers
- Manpur forest department staff
- Distance
- 28km from Chakradhara meadow in Tala