New Delhi: A recent visit by two environmentalists to Delhi’s Central Ridge has led to the likely discovery of petroglyphs (images etched or carved into stone surfaces) and cupules — a type of petroglyph considered the oldest known prehistoric rock art — on a large rock near the Polo Ground.The environmentalists, Pradip Krishen and Chetan Agarwal, were studying biocrusts — a soil crust often referred to as a living ‘skin’ of microorganisms — when they noticed the engravings on the rock.They claimed this is perhaps the first time such rock art has been identified in Central Ridge. They shared two geo-tagged photographs with TOI showing carvings on the rock.Krishen, author of the acclaimed book, ‘Trees of Delhi’, said he visited the site many times as it carries a beautiful specimen of biocrust. “During a visit on June 24, Agarwal noticed what appeared to be petroglyphs and cupules etched into the rock surface. We later revisited the site with a historian,” Krishen said, adding, “Cave paintings usually contain certain markers or contextual clues that help determine their age. It’s much more difficult to determine the age and antiquity of petroglyphs.”Archaeologist Banani Bhattacharyya, former deputy director, archaeology and museum, Haryana, said on the basis of the photographs clicked by Krishen and Agarwal, she could identify linear petroglyphs engraved on the weathered quartzite outcrop in Central Ridge, the northern extension of Aravalis.“The motif comprises intersecting vertical and horizontal incised grooves forming a ladder-like geometric design on the exposed rock surface. Similar petroglyphs, often associated with multiple cupmarks, have been documented at Mangar, also in Aravali, suggesting possible cultural continuity from the prehistoric period,” said Bhattacharyya.She added that though comparable engravings have occasionally been interpreted as symbolic motifs or rock-incised gaming boards, the function and chronology of the Central Ridge petroglyphs remain uncertain and require detailed archaeological investigation and scientific dating.“The discovery highlights the archaeological potential of Delhi Ridge and underscores the urgent need for systematic documentation, high-resolution recording and scientific dating to establish the chronology and cultural context of these rock engravings within the broader prehistoric landscape of Aravali Range,” Bhattacharyya said.Bhimbetka and Daraki-Chattan, a quartzite cave in Chambal Valley, contain Lower Palaeolithic cupule clusters that date back between 700,000 BC and 290,000 BC.Agarwal, an independent forest analyst, said, “Petroglyphs and cupules were previously found in Northern Ridge and on the JNU campus from the 1960s to 1980s. As Central Ridge is a reserve forest, a final notification is awaited. We plan to write to the authorities seeking additional archaeological protection for the Ridge,” he said.Delhi forest department, which was not part of this exercise, did not comment on the matter.
