ALFRED FERNANDES
SANGUEM: The prehistoric rock carvings at Pansaimal ward in the interior areas of Rivona village in Sanguem taluka are in urgent need of attention from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Situated on the banks of River Kushavati, these engravings on hard rock exhibit the earliest traces of human settlement in India. At the rock carvings at Pansaimal, one can observe carved impressions of deer, zebu bulls, a labyrinth, X-ray bulls, humped bulls, bull fight and human figures, etc. The mystical rock carvings were reportedly discovered in the year 1993 by the locals. The site is hidden behind an old iron mine and one can easily get to the carvings as a signboard has been erected by ASI. These rock carvings are one of the most important prehistoric sites in western India as they are thought to date between circa 8000BC – 2500BC.
However, lately, it has been filled litter all around the rock carvings.
A villager Santosh Naik deeply criticized ASI for not taking any interest in the site except for claiming the area to be a protected site by putting up a signage nearby the rock carvings. “However there is no protection whatsoever to the numerous carvings which exist at the site. It has become an eyesore to see beer cans, liquor bottles and other unwanted material at the otherwise historic rock carvings at Pansaimal,” Naik added. Another local Uday Deyker who has been visiting the site frequently informed that earlier ASI had deputed a watchman at the site to protect the site from being damaged by miscreants. However in the last two years, the shed constructed by the ASI for the watchman is lying closed with no watchman to man site.
In the absence of any authorities in the area, the site has become a favourite spot for youngsters to indulge into all sorts of nefarious activities, claimed another villager Simoes.
“There is no control whatsoever in the happenings and alleged wrong doings at the place,” Simoes added.
Villagers residing in the locality informed that the site is located in the deep interior of the village and that there is every possibility of serious incidents taking place at the site.
Deyker added that given the importance of the site, there is an urgent need for the ASI to depute its personnel at the site. “Lest there be chances of the famous rock carvings of being tampered by miscreants, said Deyker.
Incidentally, the rock carvings are prominently noted after monsoon and as the river bank stands exposed to its fullest extent. Many foreigners specially visit the village only to have a glimpse of the rock carvings, which is a rare site in the State of Goa. Villagers have also called on the ASI to fix prescribed timings for visitors to the site.
