Maharashtra to use AI to analyse, document petroglyphs in Konkan, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Maharashtra government is implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze and document thousands of prehistoric petroglyphs in the Konkan region.
• This initiative aims to strengthen India’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for these ancient sites.
• The project, estimated to cost Rs 5 crore and take four years, focuses on petroglyphs found in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.
• These stone carvings, dating between 20,000 BC and 4,000 BC, are considered older than the Harappan civilization.
• IIT Pravartak, the technology innovation hub of IIT Madras, has been appointed for the digital assessment and documentation.
• The petroglyphs were added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2025.

Petroglyph.png

Detailed Insights:

• The petroglyphs are stone carvings depicting animal figures and humanoids, primarily found in the lateral plateau regions of coastal Maharashtra.
• They span approximately 150 square kilometers across 107 villages, making manual documentation challenging due to their size.
• The absence of horse and bull figurines in the carvings suggests their creation during the Mesolithic era, indicating a pre-agricultural period.
• The carvings represent the earliest evidence of art in the Indian context on a large scale, showcasing early human cognitive abilities.
• The discovery of these petroglyphs began in 2007 by local residents led by Sudhir Risbud, with subsequent surveys identifying over 3,000 figurines.
• High-end drone cameras are essential for proper documentation due to the extensive spread and size of the carvings.
• Securing UNESCO World Heritage status would provide international recognition and support for the preservation of these significant archaeological sites.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of advanced computational systems to analyze, classify, and interpret complex data, in this case, archaeological findings.
• Petroglyphs: Prehistoric rock engravings or carvings made by removing part of a rock surface, often depicting symbolic images.
• Mesolithic Era: Also known as the Middle Stone Age, a transitional period in human history (roughly 9,000 to 4,000 BCE) characterized by hunter-gatherer societies and the use of microliths.
• UNESCO World Heritage Status: An international designation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for sites of outstanding universal value, ensuring their protection and preservation for humanity.