2300-Year-Old Rock Paintings Protected Monument Lacks Basic Security

Key facts

• The Kumittipathi rock paintings in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, are estimated to be more than 2,300 years old.
• The site was declared a protected archaeological monument under Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966 last year.
• The paintings are located in two caves on Pathimalai hill under Thirumalayampalayam town panchayat near Madukkarai.
• The lower cave displays an elephant and a chariot; the upper cave shows human-like figures.
• No fencing, security guard, or information board has been installed so far despite official promises.
• Locals report cooking fires, graffiti, and stone arrangements for meditation damaging the pigment.
• District and revenue archaeology officials recently removed stones placed inside the caves.