Ratnagiri Geoglyphs and Petroglyphs

On 11th August, 2024, the Maharashtra government designated the geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as ‘protected monuments’ under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.

Key Points

Historical Significance: The petroglyphs at Deud, Ratnagiri, dating back to the Mesolithic era (20,000-10,000 years ago), include images of a rhino, deer, monkey, donkey, and footprints.
Protected Area: The protected area encompasses 210 square meters, with seven petroglyphs in Umbarle village and one in Borkhat village.
Geoglyphs Overview: Spread across 900 km of the Konkan coast, Ratnagiri has over 1,500 geoglyphs across 70 sites, with seven on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list.
Unique Features: The Konkan geoglyphs are distinctive for their large open-air ensembles depicting marine, riverine, mammalian, reptilian, amphibian, and avian life, reflecting prehistoric human expression.
Conservation Concerns: There are concerns that a proposed oil refinery in Barsu could harm the geoglyphs in the area.