Bhimbetka rock shelters

Bhimbetka is an archaeological site with prehistoric rock art in Raisen district, India. The complex spans seven hills and contains 760 rock shelters, with 500 displaying ancient paintings in red, white, and green.

Archaeological evidence documents continuous human settlement from the Upper Paleolithic through the late Acheulian to the late Mesolithic until the second century before the common era. This long sequence makes the site an important record of early community development in South Asia.

The rock paintings show scenes from daily life, including hunting expeditions, gatherings, musical instruments, and numerous animal figures from different historical periods. These depictions offer insight into the way of life of early inhabitants who recorded their experiences on the walls over thousands of years, creating a visual chronicle.

The site lies 45 kilometers southeast of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and requires at least three hours to explore the main decorated shelters. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the terrain is uneven and involves several climbs between different hills.

The Auditorium Cave, the largest shelter at Bhimbetka, features a right-angled cross structure aligned with cardinal directions and contains cup-shaped depressions dating back 100,000 years. These features suggest possible ritual or astronomical significance beyond its function as a simple shelter.