USGALIMOLA SHELTER

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A rock shelter in a gently sloping shelf of laterite, engraved (-carved-) with spirals, lines and images of animals and human figures, is thought to date from upper palaeolithic or mesolithic eras. SITUATION: Behind an abandoned iron ore mine, and at a bend of the river Kushawati (note 1) close to the hamlet of Usgalimol / Usgalimola (note 2), 16 km south of Rivona (N15°10': E074°07') in Sanguem (note 3) taluka: Coming from Chandor [note 4], ask directions to the Timalola crossroads, and the main Margao - Sanguem highway, where you should hed straight for Zambolim and Rivona. From the latter, continue south and through the hamlet of Colomba, until you see the round, green and red ASI [Archaeological Survey of India] sign on the roadside. This points the way along a dirt track that skirts an ore heap [sic! Australian for -waste mound-] and, later, a giant flooded pit, before dropping downhill towards a large areca [-betel- nut, Areca catechu] plantation. The carvings can be seen onthe uneven shelf of rock linining the near bank. If you're having trouble, ask a local for the fatrar koree-lee cheetra, -rock carvings- in Konkani (ABRAM 2001: 214). CULTURAL HISTORY - rock art: Spread over an area of over 500 square metres, the rock art comprises around 100 distinct figures, mostly figurative depictions of animals: zebu bulls, bison, deer and antelope. Some show wound marks, or have spears and harpoons stuck in their sides; others are of the X-ray type, showing anatomical details. Alongside the animals are a number of less distinct human figures, the most impressive of which is a -dancing woman-, shown with her left arm resting on her hip, and her legs raised. Other female forms have small figures next to them which archaeologists think represent placentas or babies. The best preserved and most striking of all the carvings, though, are the shapes dubbed as triskelions -- circular furrows, roughly 15 cm wide and 2 to 3 cm deep, centered on what could be symbolicall rendered cobra heads … (ABRAM 2001: 214). Footprints of stone age humans in the rock art at Usgalimola - Rivona … The rock art gallery at Usgalimol [sic!] is unique and displays a wide diversity of animal forms from the Mesolithic period. This is a site which deserves listing in the world heritage sites (indiaprofile.com/destinations/goa/goa-culture.htm accessed 2002.09.30). rendered cobra heads … (ABRAM 2001: 214). Footprints of stone age humans in the rock art at Usgalimola - Rivona … The rock art gallery at Usgalimol [sic!] is unique and displays a wide diversity of animal forms from the Mesolithic period. This is a site which deserves listing in the world heritage sites (indiaprofile.com/destinations/goa/goa-culture.htm accessed 2002.09.30).