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Pre-historic rock paintings found at Rukalagundu
The rock, locally known as Rukalagundu in Kadiri mandal, was found to have pre-historic paintings dated to Mesolithic age. Locals alerted the department of Archeology some time ago when they noticed a few rock paintings which include hunting tools and geometrical designs, lizard and men in dancing posture, all executed in red colour, at a small hillock in Rukalagundu located 3 km from the village
Kadiri (Anantapur): Pre-historic paintings dating back to Mesolithic age (about 15,000 years ago) were found at Rukalagundu in Kadiri mandal in Anantapur district by archeologists belonging to Department of Archeology and Museums.
The rock, locally known as Rukalagundu in Kadiri mandal, was found to have pre-historic paintings dated to Mesolithic age. Locals alerted the department of Archeology some time ago when they noticed a few rock paintings which include hunting tools and geometrical designs, lizard and men in dancing posture, all executed in red colour, at a small hillock in Rukalagundu located 3 km from the village towards the east.
One Kulayappa Naidu, a resident of Potulavandlapalle, first discovered the rock paintings. According to a legend, Rukalagundu, the name of the village, was derived from the word 'rukalu' (money) which meant that the officials collected taxes from the rock point.
Rock paintings were also discovered at Payakattu Pothulavandlapalle village 5 km away from Garlapenta mandal. The rock paintings contained Brami script and images of hunting and deer. “'We had identified a few rock paintings which include a lizard, men dancing, hunting tools and geometrical designs,” Naidu told 'The Hans India'.
He is enthusiastic to talk about historic finds as he was one of the first to spot these paintings along with others. The rock art dates back to the period between 10,000-15,000 BC. This is based on earlier finds of similar technique and typology at Velpumadugu and Budagavi in Uravakonda mandal and Tenakal and Enugugavi in Kalyandurg mandal.
The hill rock on which the paintings are located is called Rukalagundu because locals use to pay their taxes in cash called rukas during the British regime, where until recently, village shandies used to be held. The site is near the Kadiri-Rajampet road.
Archeologists had urged the district administration and the department of Tourism to provide an approach road to the spot and to declare it as a tourist archaeological site.
Assistant director of Archeology Lakshmi Devi told The Hans India that Rukalagundu site has been declared as one of the protected sites by the department. Forty-seven sites have been declared as protected sites in Anantapur district and 30 sites in Kurnool district.
