Usgalimal Petroglyphs, Goa- earliest traces of human settlement in India # Shorts

Unknown and rare facts about India #Shorts

Usgalimal rock engravings or Usgalimal Petroglyphs at Usgalimal village, in South Goa, is one of the most important prehistoric sites in western India

Situated on the banks of river Kushavati, these engravings exhibit earliest traces of human settlement in India. These petroglyphs (rock art) are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 years old and belong to the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic eras. More than 100 distinct figures, spread an area of 500 sqm., including images of bulls, labyrinths and human figures are carved on laterite stones.[1][2]

Local villagers have always known of the engravings. The site was discovered in 1993 by Europeans, when local villagers took archaeologists to the bend in west-flowing river Kushavati outside the village, with mysterious engravings on the laterite shelf. The layer of mud covering up the engravings had been washed away by monsoon floods facilitating their discovery. Subsequently, when the soil was cleared more engravings were found. In the coming years, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) put up signage and started promoting the site as a tourist destination, while the Forest Department declared it a protected area. Some of the finds are displayed in the Panaji Archaeological Museum.[3]

Photo Credits- Flickr- different users

Thanks for watching, please like, share and subscribe to get more such interesting facts about India!