Prehistoric rock shelter in Narayanpet linked to Neolithic humans

A prehistoric rock shelter called ‘puli gundu’ near Basvayapalli, Narayanpet, shows evidence of Neolithic human activity, including stone tool grooves and animal engravings, suggesting the area served as a seasonal settlement around 4000 BCE

Mahabubnagar: A prehistoric rock shelter, locally known as ‘puli gundu’ (tiger boulder), is drawing attention on the outskirts of Basvayapalli in Devarakadra mandal of Narayanpet district.

According to noted archaeologist E Sivanagireddy, the rock shelter, which resembles a tiger with its mouth open, could have served as a temporary camp for Neolithic humans.

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He said a good number of Neolithic grooves were also found on a nearby hillock, formed by grinding the cutting edges of stone axes and rendering polish around 4000 BCE. Based on this evidence, he dated the shelter to the Neolithic period.

“There are traces of rock bruising depicting bulls and animals on an inaccessible rock next to the tiger boulder, belonging to the same period. The rock and other hillocks with a natural pond might have facilitated Neolithic people to use Basvayapalli as a seasonal camp,” Sivanagireddy said.