🇮🇳 India · Temple complex
Bhaja Caves
Shunga–Satavahana Early Buddhism · Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhist
One of India's earliest rock-cut Buddhist complexes (220 BCE–300 CE) on Sahyadri scarp above Indrayani River, with 22 caves.
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CategoriesRock-cut sites
Temples, tombs and churches carved directly from living rock.
🇬🇹 Guatemala · Rock-cut
Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) · Iron Age
Kirk Dock Rock-Cut Complex in Petén, Guatemala is a Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) rock_cut attributed to Iron Age culture.
🇮🇹 Italy · Rock-cut
Harappan (2600–1900 BCE) · Harappan
Rock-Cut Tombs of Henge Nara Ditch in Sicily, Italy is a Harappan (2600–1900 BCE) rock_cut attributed to Harappan culture.
🇮🇳 India · Temple complex
Shunga–Satavahana Early Buddhism · Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhist
One of India's earliest rock-cut Buddhist complexes (220 BCE–300 CE) on Sahyadri scarp above Indrayani River, with 22 caves.
🇮🇹 Italy · Rock-cut
Moche (100–800 CE) · Moche
Burgh Rock-Cut Complex in Sicily, Italy is a Moche (100–800 CE) rock_cut attributed to Moche culture.
🇮🇱 Israel · Rock-cut
Roman (300 BCE–500 CE) · Roman
Rock-Cut Tombs of Aber Broch in Negev, Israel is a Roman (300 BCE–500 CE) rock_cut attributed to Roman culture.
🇨🇳 China · Rock-cut
Tang to Southern Song ~650–1252 CE · Chinese esoteric Buddhist (Tang–Song)
50,000 Tantric cliff sculptures — China's last Buddhist rock-cut synthesis at Baoding.
🇮🇳 India · Temple complex
Satavahana early historic · Hinayana Buddhist
Twin-cave-cluster Buddhist refuge (100 BCE–100 CE) on forested Sahyadri spur between Bhaja and Karla, celebrated for best-preserved early rock-cut chaitya hall besides Karla — daylight-illuminated…
🇮🇳 India · Rock-cut
Satavahana (100 BCE) Hinayana; repainted 5th c. · Buddhist Hinayana then Mahayana
Ajanta Caves 9–10 — Early Hinayana Group in Maharashtra, India is a Satavahana (100 BCE) Hinayana; repainted 5th c. rock_cut attributed to Buddhist Hinayana then Mahayana.
🇲🇽 Mexico · Rock-cut
Classical Antiquity (800 BCE–500 CE) · Classical
Kimberley Wandjina Spirit Panel West in Oaxaca, Mexico is a Classical Antiquity (800 BCE–500 CE) rock_cut attributed to Classical culture.
🇨🇳 China · Rock-cut
Sixteen Kingdoms to Yuan (366 – 1368 CE) northern cells 960–1300 · Buddhist monastic Dunhuang oasis international
North cliff austere monastic cells 1000–1300 CE opposite southern painted scripture halls.
🇿🇦 South Africa · Rock-cut
Late Neolithic (4000–3000 BCE) · Medieval
Anthropomorph Rock Engraving East in Cederberg, South Africa is a Late Neolithic (4000–3000 BCE) rock_cut attributed to Medieval culture.
🇨🇳 China · Rock-cut
Sixteen Kingdoms to Ming ~420–1644 CE · Northwestern Chinese Buddhist (Western Qin to Tibetan)
Yellow River cliff grotto accessible only by boat, bearing China's earliest dated 420 CE inscription.
🇮🇳 India · Rock-cut
Late Gupta to Early Chalukya 5th–8th century CE · Hindu (Shaiva) and Buddhist under Kalachuri/Chalukya patronage
Rock-cut Shaiva cave complex on Elephanta Island with colossal Trimurti sculpture, 5th–8th c. CE.
🇮🇳 India · Rock-cut
Pallava dynasty 630–700 CE · Hindu (Shaiva) under Pallava
Pallava seaside rock-cut trials: Shore Temple surviving tsunami and 27-m bas relief.
🇦🇺 Australia · Rock-cut
Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) · Local Neolithic
Pushkarini Tank Steps North in Kimberley, Australia is a Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) rock_cut attributed to Local Neolithic culture.
🇨🇳 China · Rock-cut
Northern Wei to Liao (453 – 525 CE peak) · Buddhist Tanyao imperial under Emperor Wencheng
Western 5 caves 40–45 with Tanyao Buddhas 15 m of Northern Wei Pingcheng capital.
🇮🇳 India · Rock-cut
Rashtrakuta (650–700 CE) · Buddhist (Mahayana final Buddhist at Ellora)
Ellora Cave 10 — Vishwakarma Chaitya in Maharashtra, India is a Rashtrakuta (650–700 CE) rock_cut attributed to Buddhist (Mahayana final Buddhist at Ellora).
🇲🇽 Mexico · Rock-cut
Classical Antiquity (800 BCE–500 CE) · Classical
News Paper Rock Panel East in Oaxaca, Mexico is a Classical Antiquity (800 BCE–500 CE) rock_cut attributed to Classical culture.
🇫🇷 France · Rock-cut
Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) · Bronze Age
Burrup Peninsula Engraving East in Dordogne, France is a Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) rock_cut attributed to Bronze Age culture.
🇺🇸 United States · Rock-cut
Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) · Iron Age
Stepwell Reservoir West in Southwest, United States is a Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) rock_cut attributed to Iron Age culture.
🇮🇹 Italy · Ancient village
Early Bronze Age (2200–1500 BCE) · Castelluccio culture
Castelluccio Di Noto — Bronze Age Site in Sicily, Italy is a Early Bronze Age (2200–1500 BCE) ancient-village attributed to Castelluccio culture.
🇮🇳 India · Rock-cut
Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) · Bronze Age
Aqueduct Arch Section South in Tamil Nadu, India is a Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) rock_cut attributed to Bronze Age culture.
🇮🇳 India · Rock-cut
Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) · Medieval
Cave Monastery Cell South in Tamil Nadu, India is a Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) rock_cut attributed to Medieval culture.
🇵🇪 Peru · Rock-cut
Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BCE) · Classical
Pukara Sun Temple West in Cusco, Peru is a Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 BCE) rock_cut attributed to Classical culture.
