Edakkal Caves

A huge crack developing on the eastern side of the Ambukuthi Hills has led to concerns for the Edakkal Caves which are situated on it.

About the Caves

The Edakkal Caves are located on the Ambukuthi Hills (a part of the Western Ghats) on the Mysore Plateau, in Wayanad district of Kerala. It is located 1,200m above the sea level. It has engravings from the late Neolithic period. It is the only evidence for the existence of true Neolithic Culture in Kerala.

Conservation Issues

Authorities had been looking to get the caves labelled as UNESCO World Heritage Site to help conserve the site. Some of the carvings in the caves date back to 6000 BC and hence, even sound can impact them. Though the caves weren’t affected by the 2018 floods, the resulting landslides had affected the vicinity. The development of many illegal structures are plaguing the conservation efforts. The recent development of the cracks are also fuelling the concerns.

Neolithic Division

Neolithic period is the final division of the Stone Age. It extended between 10,000 and 4,500 BC. It was preceded by the Mesolithic period and succeeded by the Epipalaeolithic period. In South India, the Neolithic period extended between 6500 BC and 1400 BC. It started in Karnataka and later expanded till Tamil Nadu.