GOA

Usgalimal Rock Carvings 

The mysterious rock carvings of Usgalimal were discovered in 1993 by the villagers of Usgalimal, which is situated at about 16 kms south of Rivona in the Sanguem taluka in south Goa.The mysterious rock carvings of Usgalimal were discovered in 1993 by the villagers of Usgalimal, which is situated at about 16 kms south of Rivona in the Sanguem taluka in south Goa. 

The villagers informed the archaelogists about the traces of pre historic settlement who were led outside the village to a bend in the river Kushawati. Here they saw a shelf of laterite, which due to the monsoon floods was covered in a layer of mud that was swept downstream. Once they cleared this it was seen that the rock had carvings of around one hundred distinct figures, which included images of bulls, spirals, lines and human figures.

The Usgalimal rock carvings is now one of the most important prehistoric sites in western India as they are thought to date between 20 and 30 thousand years ago from the Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic eras.

Now a days one can easily get to the carvings at Usgalimal as a board has been erected by the ASI along the roadside for advertisement. This makes it easier to get there as the site is hidden behind an old iron mine and it is also situated quite far away from the coast.

Situated on the river-bed of Kushavati, the Usgalimal rock carvings embellish the bank of the river as well. The coverings over these features after being washed away, these carvings have made a special place in the hearts of the people both inmates and the outsiders, thus rendering another significant antiquity to Goa.

These unique engravings exhibit Man’s earliest proofs of being on earth, along with carvings even of different animals like bull and others. The area after being found by the historians, has come under consideration of the Goanese authorities as a tourist spot, though continued to be protected.

The engravings are a treat to the visitor’s eye and are a prominent exclusivity of Goa.

Usgalimal Rock Carvings are located near the quiet hamlet of Usgalimal. Situated on the banks of River Kushavati, the engravings are an awesome sight. For Western India, the site is of utmost importance archaeologically as they belong to the prehistoric times.

Inspite of its secluded location and approach, the site has many visitors from around the world. In order to get to Usgalimal Rock Carvings one has to go beyond the old iron mines about 1 km off the main road. The path falls between Rivona and Neturlim. 

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 sqm., including images of bulls, labyrinths and human figures are carved on lateritestones.

The site was discovered by archaeologists 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. In the coming years, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) put up signage and started promoting the site as a tourist destination, while the Forest Department declared it a protected area. Some of the finds are displayed in the Panaji Archaeological Museum

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 in theSanguem taluka in South Goa district.