Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs Latest News

Researchers recently found two ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs) on a flat rock inside a rock shelter on a hill behind Beerappa Temple in Manchirevula, Telangana.

About Petroglyphs

• Petroglyphs (also known as rock engravings) are symbolic images sculpted or engraved on the surface of rocks by removing material from its surface layer with instruments of superior hardness.
• The techniques used to create these images include pecking, incising, abrading, sculpting, polishing, drilling, and scratching. 
• These processes remove part of the rock and therefore are different from images simply painted or drawn on rock, which are called petrographs.
• The word ‘’petroglyph’’ is derived from two Greek words, ‘’petros’’ meaning “stone,” and ‘’glyphein’’ meaning “to carve.“
• Petroglyphs took two primary forms, as images either appear as scratches or deeper visible indentations on rock. 
• Petroglyphs are typically associated with prehistoric populations and can be found on every continent throughout the world, except Antarctica.
• However, they are especially concentrated in Africa, South America, North America (mainly in the southwestern United States), Siberia, Australia, and Europe (Scandinavia, Spanish Galicia, Ireland and Italy).
• Example of Petroglyph Site in India: Edakkal Caves in Wayanad, Kerala.

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Significance of Petroglyphs

• They are among the earliest forms of art to have existed and are therefore considered the foundation of art. 
• Ancient peoples also used petroglyphs as a form of communication or writing. 
• For example, some petroglyphs clearly indicated the borders between tribal lands, and others were astronomical markers and maps. 
• Additionally, some petroglyphs served as musical instruments and were known as “rock gongs.”

Source: DC