Neglected Rock Paintings

A historical find is always a big moment for the people of that region and the nation. However, it becomes a sorry state of affairs when such sites are rarely known to people and the lack of care only makes these places and the past inaccessible.

Isco Rock paintings. Image source: Pinterest

Each state of India has wonders that lie waiting to be discovered. Jharkhand is known for its traditions and the cultural mosaic put together by various tribal communities who have been the guardians of this land since the beginning.

The state is not only famous for its religious sites, but it is also popular for its rock paintings.

In the quaint tribal village of Isco, 45 km off Hazaribagh, one can see thousand-year-old rock paintings. It was first discovered by the Jesuit Priest Father Tony Herbert in 1991. The Archaeological Survey of India studied the site between 1993 and 1995.

Upon learning of this discovery, environmentalist Bullu Imam went to the site, and elated by the site, informed the Bihar Archaeology Department to confirm the antiquity of the paintings.

The site stood out due to its eccentric and different designs. Though the paintings at Isco are abstract geometric designs- deer, bison, buffalo, and even reptiles are seen in the rock art. One cannot say what these geometric designs symbolise. However, those who have studied the paintings suggest that these designs were perhaps painted by priests while they were intoxicated. But some theories state that these paintings were the artworks of women in the region- solely because the paintings seem to be more abstract and their motifs drawn by the tribals in the region are considered to be a part of matriarchal art forms.

Although Isco is labelled a meso-chalcolithic site, some believe it goes back to the Paleolithic era.

What's interesting to see is that the paintings reveal layers signifying that some of the works might be older than the ones at Bhimbetka.

Unfortunately, despite being aware of the historical value, due to negligence resulting from the lack of interest, the floors of the site were cemented and ruled out all possibilities of studying the microliths that could be found at the place.