Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel
Bhimbetka Auditorium
Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇮🇳 Madhya Pradesh, Raisen, Bhimbetka, India
Unknown 1st century CE Roman artist; Photo courtesy of Annette Haug · Public domain
About
About Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel
Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel in Madhya Pradesh, Raisen, Bhimbetka, India is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and coring document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal necropolis and ancillary settlement. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 5.2 ha. Excavation excavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 450 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Ritual landscape model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 15000 BCE
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Palaeolithic to Iron Age
- Purpose
- Rock art panel and ritual gallery
- Rediscovered
- 1933
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 15000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 827 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1899
Modern rediscovery and excavation
c. 1504 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
22.9400° N · 77.6100° E · 450 m · 4 mapped features
- Main Painted PanelpanelMain Painted Panel at Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel — panel with stratified deposits22.9420° N · 77.6124° E
- Upper Gallery NichegalleryUpper Gallery Niche at Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel — gallery with stratified deposits22.9382° N · 77.6118° E
- Ancillary Engraving ClusterengravingAncillary Engraving Cluster at Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel — engraving with stratified deposits22.9384° N · 77.6079° E
- Rock Fall BoulderboulderRock Fall Boulder at Bhimbetka — Auditorium Cave Ancillary Panel — boulder with stratified deposits22.9392° N · 77.6124° E
Gallery