AP Archaeology dept discovers 'Rock Arts' of Palaeolothic era

Hyderabad, Apr 24 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Archaeology and Museums Director Professor P Chenna Reddy today said paintings, dating back to Upper Palaeolithic to Medieval times, were found at Warangal and Mahaboob Nagar districts during recent excavations.

Addressing the media here, he said the paintings in red and white pigments, including various types of fish, animals, stone tools and weapons held by hunters, were found at Pandavalagutta and Ravulapalli villages of Regonda mandal in Warangal district and Kethavaram, Pudicherla and Bollaram in Mahaboob Nagar district.

''The arts, painted with vegetable oils, belonged to 25,000 BC to 16 century AD,'' he said, adding that some of the paintings were superimposed, showing some highly developed anatomical features and curves.

Stating that sculptures of Parswantha, Mahishasuramardhini and Brahma with his consort Saraswati seated on a swan, belonging to Kakatiya dynasty, were also discovered at Medepalli in Warangal district, Mr Reddy said the Buddhist settlement at Peddauppalam village in Visakhapatnam district was discovered recently.

''The Buddhist remnants, including an idol of seated Buddha, were found near Buddhist sites -- Gopalapatnam and Amalapuram in Visakhaptanam district,'' he added.

The department was taking steps to reconstruct, renovate and conserve 22 temples in Warangal district under 'Kakatiya Heritage Project' at a cost of Rs ten crore. Several dilapidated temples would be renovated under the scheme, expected to be completed in four years.

The official said a museum would also be established to showcase the gold, silver and copper coins of Roman, Gupta, Vijayanagara and Mughal periods. More than three lakh coins, which were preserved, would be displayed in the museum. A photo gallery in the name of Dindayal and War museum would be opened at the Golconda Fort shortly, he added.

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