Ancient rock carvings inside a hill-top cave near Kalpetta (Kerala, India), believed to date back to the neolithic period, are facing ruin for want of proper attention by the government and academic bodies. The rare historic treasure at Thovarymala, throwing light into human habitation in the Wayanad area since ancient times, is yet to receive the protection of agencies like Archaelogy Department, which preserves the Edakkal caves just five km away.
     The carvings, found on the upperside of the cave, depict circular and squarish figures, striking by the geometric precision of the design and execution. One carving closely resembles a bird, an artisitc proof of the stone-age man's creative instinct to depict the world around him despite the limitations of his premitive tools. "Though researchers and historians who visited the place have acknowldeged their importance, Thovarimla is yet to receive a serious academic attention," Thomas Amablavayal, Secretary of Wayanad Prakriti Samrakshana Samiti, said.
     The cave's mouth is narrow, but inside it is spacious enough for three or four persons to move freely. An elevated chair-like block, probably chiselled and shaped by the occupants of the cave, is fround on the northern side of the rock, commanding a view of the thick forest downhill.

Source: NewKerala.com (5 November 2006)