A rock art site was discovered at Idupulapaya.
Yogi Vemana University (YVU) researchers found a rock art site from the megalithic civilization, or early historic era, near Idupulapaya in the region.
Kankanala Gangaiah, Head of History and Archaeology Department, assembled a weekend exploration team comprised of nature enthusiast P.C. Chennakesavulu, researcher Babu, and PhD students J. Narayana and Sivakumar Challa based on information supplied by M.A. student P. Maheswaraiah.
The crew arrived on September 23 and discovered the rock drawings atop a hilltop, the precise year of which would have to be determined after additional excavation and scientific analysis.
The rock shelter, located near the IIIT and on the opposite side of the YSR Ghat, may be accessed after a 2-kilometre walk from the main road.
The main rock shelter is located on a plateau-topped slope that faces east. It is next to a creek running on the southern side of the hill that originates from the Papagni river.
The paintings, which appear to be creative doodles by the early man as hints to identify the stairs to climb atop, are located on the ground level rock cave and on the ceiling wall of the upper deck. The pictures are created using a brush method and ochre material.
The crew also looked for megalithic graves in and around the rock shelter, which is surrounded by dense vegetation.
Dr Gangaiah and his colleagues asked for the site’s preservation on Thursday, explaining their results to Vice-Chancellor M. Surya Kalavathi, in order to avoid destruction of the rock art, as well as its growth as a heritage and eco-tourism destination.
