Usagalimal rock engravings or Usagalimal Petroglyphs,(Konkani: ऊसगाळीमळावयली फातरशिल्पां) at Usgalimal village, in South Goa, is one of the most important prehistoric sites in western India.
Situated on the banks of river Kushavati, these engravings exhibit earliest traces of human settlement in India. These petroglyphs (rock art) are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 years old and belong to the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic eras. More than 100 distinct figures, spread an area of 500 sq m., including images of bulls, labyrinths and human figures are carved on laterite stones
The site was discovered by archaeologist working in the area in 1993, when local villagers took them to the bend in west-flowing river Kushavati outside the village, with mysterious engravings on the laterite shelf. The layer of mud covering up the engravings had been washed away by monsoon floods facilitating their discovery. Subsequently when the soil was cleared more engravings were found
The engravings are situated on the bed of the river Kushavati, beyond old iron ore mines, outside Usagalimal village, accessible via a winding pathway. It is about one km down from the main road between Rivona to Neturlim, and about 16 km south of Rivona
Situated on the banks of river Kushavati, these engravings exhibit earliest traces of human settlement in India. These petroglyphs (rock art) are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 years old and belong to the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic eras. More than 100 distinct figures, spread an area of 500 sq m., including images of bulls, labyrinths and human figures are carved on laterite stones
The site was discovered by archaeologist working in the area in 1993, when local villagers took them to the bend in west-flowing river Kushavati outside the village, with mysterious engravings on the laterite shelf. The layer of mud covering up the engravings had been washed away by monsoon floods facilitating their discovery. Subsequently when the soil was cleared more engravings were found
The engravings are situated on the bed of the river Kushavati, beyond old iron ore mines, outside Usagalimal village, accessible via a winding pathway. It is about one km down from the main road between Rivona to Neturlim, and about 16 km south of Rivona
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