Kids for Tigers: May 2022

First published on May 02, 2022

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Photo Feature

Rock Art Caves
<p>The oldest evidence of humans in the Nilgiris dates back nearly 10,000 years. A handful of well-preserved rock art caves, hidden in remote valleys and on cliff faces, display the ancient artistry of the Nilgiris created using natural pigments including ochre and charcoal. Some take the form of engravings, etched into rock with simple tools. The majority depict animals such as gaur, elephants, and deer, alongside human figures and geometric patterns, thought to be tied to hunting practices and ritual worship. Several of the depicted animals still inhabit the hills. These artworks reveal the long history of human presence in the Nilgiris, and the close attention early people paid to the wildlife.</p>