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{{Short description|30,000+ years old archaeological World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS           = Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
| image         = Rock Shelter 8, Bhimbetka 02.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption       = Bhimbetka rock painting
| location      = [[Raisen district]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| Type          =[[World Heritage Site]] 
| ID            = 925
| coordinates   = {{coord|22.938415|N|77.613085|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| year          = 2003
| area          = {{cvt|1893|ha|sqmi}}
| buffer_zone   = {{cvt|10280|ha|sqmi}}
| locmapin      = India#India Madhya Pradesh
| map_caption   = Bhimbetka rock shelters, 
 Madhya Pradesh, India
|Criteria=Cultural: (iii), (v)
}}

The '''Bhimbetka rock shelters''' are an archaeological site in central [[India]] that spans the [[Paleolithic]] and [[Mesolithic]] periods, as well as the historic period.<ref name="PeregrineEmber2003p315">{{cite book|author1=Peter N. Peregrine|author2=Melvin Ember|title=Encyclopedia of Prehistory: Volume 8: South and Southwest Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C-TQpUtI-dgC&pg=PA315 |year=2003|publisher=Springer Science |isbn=978-0-306-46262-7|pages=315–317}}</ref><ref name=alip15/> It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of the [[Stone Age]] starting at the site in [[Acheulean]] times.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Chronology of Indian prehistory from the Mesolithic period to the Iron Age|journal=Journal of Human Evolution|volume=7|pages=37–44|doi=10.1016/S0047-2484(78)80034-7 |quote=The microlithic occupation there is the last one, as the Stone Age started there with Acheulian times. These rock shelters have been used to light fires even up to recent times by the tribals. This is re-fleeted in the scatter of 14C dates from Bhimbetka|year=1978|last1=Agrawal|first1=D.P.|last2=Krishnamurthy|first2=R.V.|last3=Kusumgar|first3=Sheela|last4=Pant|first4=R.K.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=07HGDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT7|title=A Short History of India: From the Earliest Civilisations to Today's Economic Powerhouse|page=17|publisher=Oldcastle Books Ltd|first=Gordon|last=Kerr|isbn=9781843449232|date=2017-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Neda Hosse in Tehrani|author2= Shahida Ansari| author3= Kamyar Abdi| title= Anthropogenic Processes in Caves/Rock Shelters in Izeh Plain (Iran) and Bhimbetka Region (India)|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute| volume=76|pages= 237–248| year=2016|quote=the rock shelter site of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh exhibits the earliest traces of human life|jstor= 26264790}}</ref> It is located in the [[Raisen district]] in the Indian [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]], about {{convert|45|km}} south-east of [[Bhopal]]. It is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over {{Cvt|10|km}}.<ref name=alip15>Javid, Ali and Javeed, Tabassum (2008), ''World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India'', Algora Publishing, 2008, pages 15–19</ref><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/925/documents/ Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Advisory Body Evaluation], UNESCO, pages 43–44</ref> At least some of the shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago.<ref name="alip15"/><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Advisory Body Evaluation], UNESCO, pages 14–15</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka - A UNESCO Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh {{!}} MP Tourism |url=https://www.mptourism.com/destination-bhimbetka.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125135506/https://www.mptourism.com/destination-bhimbetka.php |archive-date=2025-01-25 |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.mptourism.com |language=en}}</ref> 

The rock shelters and caves provide evidence of human settlement and the cultural evolution from hunter-gatherers to agriculture, and expressions of [[Prehistoric religion|prehistoric spirituality]].<ref name="britannicabhimbetka" />

Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric [[cave painting]]s and the earliest are dated to 10,000 BCE, corresponding to the Indian [[Mesolithic]].<ref name="YM">{{cite book |last1=Mathpal |first1=Yashodhar |title=Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka |date=1984 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=9788170171935 |pages=220-227 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GG7-CpvlU30C&pg=PA220 |language=en|quote=The paintings of the earlier five phases ( A - E ) belong to the prehistoric or Mesolithic stage. The oldest of them may be dated to 10,000 BC}}</ref><ref name="facets">{{cite book|title=Gurudakshina: Facets of Indian Archaeology|page=32|quote=The oldest of them may be dated to 10,000 B.C. or even earlier.|publisher=[[British Archaeological Reports]]|author=Alok Kumar Kanungo}}</ref><ref name="SKT">{{cite book |last1=Tiwari |first1=Shiv Kumar |title=Riddles of Indian Rockshelter Paintings |date=2000 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=9788176250863 |page=189 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-jO0fvT4r9gC&pg=PA189 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Unesco">{{cite book |title=Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka |date=2003 |publisher=UNESCO |page=16 |url=https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf}}</ref><ref name="SM">{{cite book |last1=Mithen |first1=Steven |title=After the Ice: A Global Human History, 20,000 - 5000 BC |date=2011 |publisher=Orion |isbn=9781780222592 |page=524 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uaxg_QDSsrQC&pg=PT524 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AJ">{{cite book |last1=Javid |first1=Ali |last2=Jāvīd |first2=ʻAlī |last3=Javeed |first3=Tabassum |title=World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India |date=2008 |publisher=Algora Publishing |isbn=9780875864846 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54XBlIF9LFgC&pg=PA19 |language=en}}</ref> These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting from the Stone Age as well as of warriors on horseback from a later time (perhaps the Bronze Age).<ref name=bhim3/><ref name=bhim1/><ref>{{Cite book |author=Sanyal, Sanjeev |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/855957425 |title=Land of the seven rivers : a brief history of India's geography |isbn=978-0-14-342093-4 |oclc=855957425}}</ref> The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India,<ref name="Pearsall2008p1951">{{cite book|author=Deborah M. Pearsall|title= Encyclopedia of archaeology|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RnoUAQAAIAAJ|year =2008|publisher =Elsevier Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-373643-7|pages=1949–1951}}</ref> as well as is one of the largest prehistoric complexes.<ref name=britannicabhimbetka/><ref>{{cite book|author1=Jo McDonald|author2=Peter Veth|title=A Companion to Rock Art|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=excwzC1zhY0C&pg=PT291|year=2012|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-25392-2|pages=291–293}}</ref>

== Location ==
[[File:Path way Bhembetika (2).jpg|thumb|[[Archaeological Survey of India]] monument number N-MP-225]]

The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are 45 kilometers south-east of Bhopal and 9&nbsp; km from [[Obedullaganj]] city in the [[Raisen District]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] at the southern edge of the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya]] Range. South of these rock shelters are successive ranges of the [[Satpura]] hills. It is inside the ''[[Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary]]'', embedded in sandstone rocks, in the foothills of the Vindhya Range.<ref name=britannicabhimbetka>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Bhimbetka-rock-shelters Bhimbetka rock shelters], Encyclopædia Britannica</ref><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, pages 14–18, 22–23, 30–33</ref> The site consists of seven hills: Vinayaka, Bhonrawali, Bhimbetka, Lakha Juar (east and west), Jhondra and Muni Babaki Pahari.<ref name="PeregrineEmber2003p315"/>

== Background ==

=== Etymology ===

Bhimbetka meaning ''"Bhima's resting place"'' or ''"Bhima's lounge"'', is compound word made of ''[[Bhima]]'' (second brother among the five [[Pandavas]] of [[Mahabharata]]) and ''Baithaka'' (seat or lounge). According to the native belief, Bhima during his exile used to rest here to interact with the locals. Bhima Worshiped Mata Vaishavi at this location and blessed for concurring the forthcoming war. There is a famous Mata Vaishavi Temple existing at this place since long.<ref name=out1>[https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70582/the-sudden-discovery-of-the-bhimbetka-rock-shelters Bhimbetka: An Accidental Find], Outlook, 22 June 2020.</ref>

=== History ===
[[File:Information Palette Bhimbetka (3).jpg|thumb|right|240px|upright=1.35|Bhimbetka location]]
[[File:1 of the rock shelter caves at Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh.jpg|thumb|right|240px|One of about 750 rock shelter caves at Bhimbetka.]]

W. Kincaid, a British India era official, first mentioned Bhimbetka in a scholarly paper in 1888. He relied on the information he gathered from [[adivasi]]s (tribals) about Bhojpur lake in the area and referred to Bhimbetka as a [[Buddhist]] site.<ref name=asiunesco54>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, page 54</ref> The first archaeologist to visit a few caves at the site and discover its prehistoric significance was [[V. S. Wakankar]], who saw these rock formations and thought these were similar to those he had seen in Spain and France. He visited the area with a team of archaeologists and reported several prehistoric rock shelters in 1957.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=925|title=Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka|publisher=World Heritage Site|access-date=2007-02-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070308082739/https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=925| archive-date= 8 March 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

It was only in the 1970s that the scale and true significance of the Bhimbetka rock shelters was discovered and reported.<ref name=asiunesco54/> Since then, more than 750 rock shelters have been identified. The Bhimbetka group contains 243 of these, while the Lakha Juar group nearby has 178 shelters. According to [[Archaeological Survey of India]], the evidence suggests that there has been a continuous human settlement here from the [[Stone Age]] through the late [[Acheulian]] to the late [[Mesolithic]] until the 2nd century BCE in these caves. This information is based on the findings from the excavation of the site, the unearthed artifacts and goods, pigments present in deposits, as well as the rock paintings.<ref name=bhimbetka15>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, pages 15–16, 22–23, 45, 54–60</ref>

The site contains the world's oldest stone walls and floors.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Rock Art and Its Global Context|author1=Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty|author2=Robert G. Bednarik|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|page=29}}</ref>

The origin of the raw materials utilized in certain [[Monolith|monoliths]] uncovered at Bhimbetka has been traced back to Barkheda.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/925.pdf | title = Bhimbetka (India) No. 925 | publisher = UNESCO World Heritage Centre | access-date = 2012-04-28 }}</ref>

The site consisting of 1,892 hectares was declared as protected under Indian laws and came under the management of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] in 1990.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/925.pdf Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka: Continuity through Antiquity, Art & Environment], Archaeological Survey of India, UNESCO, pages 10, 53</ref> It was declared as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 2003.<ref name=britannicabhimbetka/><ref>[http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_rockart_bhimbetka.asp World Heritage Sites – Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327162814/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_rockart_bhimbetka.asp |date=27 March 2014 }}, Archaeological Survey of India</ref>

== Auditorium cave ==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Entrance of bhimbetka.jpg
| width1 = 160
| caption1 = Bhimbetka quartzite towers
| image2 = Entry to "Auditorium Cave".jpg
| width2 = 160
| caption2 = Auditorium cave
}}

Of the numerous shelters, the Auditorium cave is one of the significant features of this site. Surrounded by [[quartzite]] towers which are visible from several kilometres' distance, the Auditorium rock is the largest shelter at Bhimbetka. [[Robert G. Bednarik]] describes the prehistoric Auditorium cave as one with a "cathedral-like" atmosphere, with "its Gothic arches and soaring spaces".<ref name=bednarik63/> Its plan resembles a "right-angled cross" with four of its branches aligned to the four cardinal directions. The main entrance points to the east. At the end of this eastern passage, at the cave's entrance, is a boulder with a near-vertical panel that is distinctive, one visible from distance and all directions. In archaeology literature, this boulder has been dubbed as "Chief's Rock" or "King's Rock", though there is no evidence of any rituals or its role as such.<ref name=bednarik63/><ref>Robert Bednarik (1993), Palaeolithic Art in India, ''Man and Environment'', Volume 18, Number 2, pages 33–40</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=Manoj Kumar | title=Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology | chapter=Bhimbetka Rockshelters | publisher=Springer New York | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-4419-0426-3 | doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2286 | pages=867–870}}</ref> The boulder with the Auditorium cave is the central feature of the Bhimbetka, midst its 754 numbered shelters spread over few kilometres on either side, and nearly 500 locations where rock paintings can be found, states Bednarik.<ref name=bednarik63>Robert G Bednarik (1996), The cupules on Chief's Rock, Auditorium Cave, Bhimbetka, The Artifact: Journal of the Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria, Volume 19, pages 63–71</ref>

== Rock art and paintings ==

The rock shelters and caves of Bhimbetka have a large number of paintings. Some of the oldest paintings are dated to 10,000 BCE,<ref name="YM"/><ref name="facets"/><ref name="SKT"/><ref name="Unesco"/><ref name="SM"/><ref name="AJ"/> but some of the geometric figures date to as recently as the [[Middle Ages|medieval period]]. The drawings and paintings can be classified under seven different periods. [[V. S. Wakankar]] classified the drawings and paintings into seven different periods and dated the earliest paintings to have belonged to the upper Palaeolithic to be as early as 40,000 years ago.<ref>{{cite book | last=Agrawal | first=D.P. | last2=Kharakwal | first2=J.S. | title=Central Himalayas: An Archaeological, Linguistic, and Cultural Synthesis | publisher=Aryan Books International | year=1998 | isbn=978-81-7305-132-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zVuAAAAMAAJ| page=66|quote=Based on C - 14 dates they are placed between 40,000 and 25,000 BP ( Wakankar 1987)}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Bednarik | first=Robert G. | title=Art Origins | journal=Anthropos | publisher=Anthropos Institut | volume=89 | issue=1/3 | year=1994 | issn=02579774 | jstor=40463849 | pages=169–180 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40463849 | access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref> The colours used are vegetable colours which have endured through time because the drawings were generally made deep inside a niche or on inner walls.

'''Period I''' – ([[Upper Paleolithic]]): These are linear representations in green of humans dancing and hunting.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dubey-Pathak |first1=Meenakshi |title=Rock art of the Bhimbetka period in India |journal=Adoranten 2014 |date=2014 |url=https://www.rockartscandinavia.com/images/articles/a14pathak.pdf |access-date=13 September 2021 |publisher=Tanums Hällristningsmuseum Underslös}}</ref>

'''Period II''' – ([[Mesolithic]]): Comparatively small in size the stylised figures in this group show linear decorations on the body. In addition to animals there are human figures and hunting scenes, giving a clear picture of the weapons they used: barbed [[spear]]s, pointed sticks, [[bow and arrow|bows and arrows]].<ref name=bhim3/><ref name=bhim1/><ref name=bhim2/> Some scenes are interpreted as depicting tribal war between three tribes symbolised by their animal totems.<ref name="PeregrineEmber2003p315"/><ref>{{cite book|title=South Asian Prehistory: A Multidisciplinary study|author=D. P. Agrawal, J. S. Kharakwal |page=149 |publisher =Aryan Books International}}</ref> The depiction of communal dances, birds, musical instruments, mothers and children, pregnant women, men carrying dead animals, drinking and burials appear in rhythmic movement.<ref name=bhim3>Yashodhar Mathpal, 1984, [https://books.google.com/books?id=GG7-CpvlU30C&pg=PA214 Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka], Page 214.</ref><ref name=bhim1>M. L. Varad Pande, Manohar Laxman Varadpande, 1987, [https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8170172217 History of Indian Theatre], Volume 1, Page 57.</ref><ref name=bhim2>[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8170171539 Dance In Indian Painting], Page xv.</ref>

'''Period III''' – ([[Chalcolithic]]) Similar to the paintings of the Mesolithic, these drawings reveal that during this period the cave dwellers of this area were in contact with the agricultural communities of the [[Malwa]] plains, exchanging goods with them.

'''Period IV & V''' – (Early historic): The figures of this group have a schematic and decorative style and are painted mainly in red, white and yellow. The association is of riders, depiction of religious symbols, tunic-like dresses and the existence of scripts of different periods. The religious beliefs are represented by figures of [[yaksha]]s, tree gods and magical sky chariots.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

'''Period VI & VII''' – ([[Medieval India|Medieval]]): These paintings are geometric linear and more schematic, but they show degeneration and crudeness in their artistic style. The colors used by the cave dwellers were prepared by combining black [[manganese oxide]]s, red [[hematite]] and [[charcoal]].

One rock, popularly referred to as "Zoo Rock", depicts [[elephant]]s, [[barasingha]] (swamp deer), [[bison]] and [[deer]]. Paintings on another rock show a [[peacock]], a [[snake]], a deer and the sun. On another rock, two elephants with tusks are painted. Hunting scenes with hunters carrying bows, [[arrow]]s, [[sword]]s, and shields also find their place in the community of these pre-historic paintings. In one of the caves, a bison is shown in pursuit of a hunter while his two companions appear to stand helplessly nearby; in another, some horsemen are seen, along with archers. In one painting, a large wild bovine (possibly a [[gaur]] or [[bison]]) is seen.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}<!-- Which period?!? -->

Yashodhar Mathpal has conducted a very careful study of the various animals depicted in these rock shelters. He has identified sloth bear, wolf, hyaena, rhinoceros, wild cattle, deer, antelopes, hare, monkeys, anteater, rats, fish, turtle, peafowl, some birds without any details among the wild animals and a domesticated dog. Deer and antelope are amongst the most numerous of the wild animals depicted. The pictures include groups of hunters;  one such group is depicted as running away from a rhinoceros. Other groups are engaged in hunting deer, antelopes and other prey. Spear and bow and arrow are the main weapons of hunt; fish and turtle are being caught in a net, and rats are being driven out of their burrows to be caught. The paintings are classified largely in two groups, one as depictions of hunters and food gatherers, and in others as fighters, riding on horses and elephant carrying metal weapons. The first group of paintings date to prehistoric times while second one dates to historic times.<ref>{{cite book|title=Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka|page=225|publisher=Abhinav Publications|year=1984|first=Yashodhar|last=Mathpal}}</ref><ref name=Javidp20>{{cite book| author =Javid, Ali and Javeed, Tabassum |title=World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India|publisher=Algora Publishing|year= 2008|page=20}}</ref> Most of the paintings from the historic period depict battles between rulers carrying swords, spears, bows and arrows.<ref name=Javidp20/>

In one of the desolate rock shelters, the painting of a man holding a trident-like staff and dancing has been nicknamed "[[Nataraj]]" by archaeologist [[V. S. Wakankar]].<ref>{{cite book|title= Rock-art of India: Paintings and Engravings|page=123|publisher=Arnold-Heinemann|first=Kalyan Kumar|last=Chakravarty|quote=Nataraj figures from BHIM III E-19 and one from III F −16 are well decorated in fierce mood. Probably they represent conception of a fierce deity like Vedic Rudra.(Wa.kankar, op. cit)'.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Riddles of Indian Rockshelter Paintings|author=Shiv Kumar Tiwari|page=245|publisher=Sarup & Sons}}</ref> It is estimated that paintings in at least 100 rock shelters might have eroded away.<ref>{{cite book|title=After the Ice: A Global Human History, 20,000–5000 BC|page=401|first=Steven|last=Mithen|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=2006|isbn=9780674019997}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%; border-bottom:1px #aaa solid;" heights="150">
File:Dancing painting at Bhimbetka.jpg|Mesolithic dancers

File:Rock Shelter 15, Bhimbetka 02.jpg|A man being attacked by a horned bovine.
File:Bhimbetka.JPG|Rock painting dated to 8,000 - 3,000 BCE depicting a humpless [[bovine]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mathpal |first1=Yashodhar |title=Prehistoric Painting Of Bhimbetka |date=1984 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-193-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Sen |first1=Sailendra Nath |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |date=1999 |publisher=New Age International |isbn=978-81-224-1198-0 |language=en}}</ref>
File:Bhimbetka rock paintng1.jpg|people hunting animal  
File:Bhimbetka Cave Paintings.jpg|People riding horses holding weapons
File:Rock Shelter at Bhimbetka.jpg|Man riding elephant
File:Bhimbetka Natraj painting.jpg|An eroded painting in the caves showing a man dancing and holding a trident-like staff
</gallery>

== "''Dickinsonia'' fossils" ==
{{see also | Fossil parks in India | l1= Fossil sites in India }}

[[Fossil|Fossils]] of ''[[Dickinsonia|Dickinsonia tenuis]]'', an early animal from the [[Ediacaran|Ediacaran Period]], were reported from Bhimbetka; they were said to be similar to [[Ediacaran biota|D. tenuis fossils]] found in the [[Ediacara Hills]] in [[South Australia]]. From this, several [[Palaeogeography|paleogeographic]] conclusions were made, such as the [[Gondwana#Formation|formation of Gondwanaland]] by 550 million years ago.<ref name="DG">{{cite journal |last1=Retallack |first1=Gregory J. |last2=Matthews |first2=Neffra A. |last3=Master |first3=Sharad |last4=Khangar |first4=Ranjit G. |last5=Khan |first5=Merajuddin |date=2021 |title=Dickinsonia discovered in India and late Ediacaran biogeography |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2020.11.008 |journal=Gondwana Research |language=en |volume=90 |pages=165–170 |doi=10.1016/j.gr.2020.11.008|s2cid=229451488 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> However, later examination showed that the purported fossil material was simply decayed remnants of a beehive.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meert |first1=Joseph G. |last2=Pandit |first2=Manoj K. |last3=Kwafo |first3=Samuel |last4=Singha |first4=Ananya |date=2023-01-13 |title=Stinging News: 'Dickinsonia' discovered in the Upper Vindhyan of India Not Worth the Buzz |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1342937X23000254 |journal=Gondwana Research |volume=117 |pages=1–7 |language=en |doi=10.1016/j.gr.2023.01.003 |s2cid=255846878 |issn=1342-937X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Similar sites in India==
{{see also | Archaeology in India}}

Some Mesolithic sites with cave art, tools, paintings, etc are [[Anangpur#Cave|Anangpur caves]] ([[Faridabad]]) and [[Mangar Bani#Cave|Mangar Bani Caves]] ([[Gurugram]]) in [[Delhi NCR]], and [[Pahargarh caves]] ([[Morena, Madhya Pradesh|Morena]]) in [[Madhya Pradesh]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

== See also ==
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* [[Belum Caves]]
* [[List of Stone Age art#Cave paintings and Rock art|Cave paintings and other rock art]]
* [[Cave paintings in India]]
* [[Cumbe Mayo]], Peru
* [[Pahargarh caves]]
* [[Petroglyph National Monument]]
* [[Rock art]]
* [[Rock carvings at Alta]]
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Bhimbetka}}
{{Commons category|Rock shelters of Bhimbetka}}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=925 UNESCO World Heritage: Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151115173325/http://vm.kemsu.ru/en/mezolith/bhimpet.html Prehistoric Art of Bhimbetka]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021105115224/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2686/bhimbetka_index.htm  Bhimbetka Gallery by A. N. Maheshwari]
* [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/rockpain/betaka.htm Pre-historic Paintings of Bhimbetka by L. L. Kamat]
* [http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/ The Rock Art of Central India]
* [http://www.rupestre.net/tracce/?p=3585 TRACCE Online Rock Art Bulletin photogallery by Sarbanidas Roy]

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