Edakkal Caves

About Edakkal Caves

• These caves are located 3,900 ft above the sea level on the majestic Ambukuthi hills.
• The name Edakkal itself means “a stone in between”.
• The unique intricate stone carvings that date back to the Neolithic and Mesolithic ages.
• The caves are two natural formations that are believed to have been formed by a large split in a huge rock. 
• These feature Neolithic-era pictorial writings believed to be dating to at least 6,000 BCE.
• Features:
  • The caves sport human and animal figures besides symbols and letters.
  • Inside the caves are pictorial drawings and engravings that indicate the presence of ancient human settlements in the region.
  • Despite their name, the Edakkal Caves are not actually caves. They are part of a prehistoric rock shelter, formed naturally when one huge boulder got wedged between two bigger ones.
  • Human figures, animals, tools, vehicles, day-to-day occurrences and scripts in different language scripts have been discovered here.
  • The diversity of the engravings suggest that the Edakkal caves were inhabited several times at different points in history.
  • The Muniyaras, or ancient burial sites that have been discovered in these hills have yielded a rich collection of ancient earthenware and pottery. 

Q1) What is the Mesolithic Age?

The Mesolithic Age, also known as the Middle Stone Age, is a prehistoric period that falls between the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) and the Neolithic (New Stone Age) periods. This age is generally considered to have occurred between approximately 10,000 and 6,000 years ago, although these dates can vary by region. The timing of the Mesolithic can differ from place to place, depending on local developments.

Source: 2.9-crore project to improve amenities around Edakkal Caves