A painting of a bull at the “Eddula Gundu” rock art site in Dasarlapalli village of Mulugu mandal in Siddipet district.
Archeology enthusiast R. Rathnakar Reddy and his team urged the authorities to take steps to protect the prehistoric rock sites at the forest edge of Dasarlapalli village in Mulugu mandal in the district.
The sites, documented by Mr Reddy along with Vinay Goli and local youth, contain prehistoric paintings, microlithic tools and other archaeological remains believed to date from the Mesolithic to Neolithic period.
According to them, these sites provide important evidence of early human settlement and cultural evolution in the region.
One of the main sites, locally known as Enugu Gundu (Elephant Rock), is located at an altitude of 624 meters above sea level.
The paintings depict animals such as deer and cattle along with human figures. One prominent image shows a man carrying a long harpoon-like weapon with points pointing backwards. The researchers noted that some of the paintings had already been damaged due to exposure to rain and weather.
An image of an elephant at ‘Enugula Gundu’ in Dasarlapalli village of Mulugu mandal in the district.
Adjacent to the site is a “musical stone” containing 24 cup marks believed to have been used by prehistoric humans for recreational or ritual purposes. Nearby grooves, attributed to the Neolithic, are believed to have been used to sharpen stone weapons.
R. Ratnakar Reddy (centre) and others at a prehistoric rock art site on the forest edge of Dasarlapalli village in Mulugu mandal of Siddipet district.
Another site, locally referred to as Eddula Gundu (Bull Rock), contains two bull figures and traces of prehistoric paint, while a third site known as Quarry Gundu contains bull figures and script-like symbols associated with prehistoric human activity. The team also found abundant microlithic hunting tools throughout the area.
Published – 09 May 2026 20:25 IST
