Which colours were commonly used in prehistoric rock paintings found in India?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Black, white, and red ochre.
Explanation:
☛ Prehistoric artists used naturally occurring minerals and organic substances to create pigments for rock paintings.
☛ Red ochre (Geru): Red was the most dominant colour, derived from haematite (iron oxide).
☛ White: White pigment was primarily prepared from limestone, white clay (kaolin), or gypsum.
☛ Black: Black was obtained from charcoal, soot, or manganese oxide.
☛ Although green (from green chalcedony) and yellow were also occasionally used, black, white, and red ochre remained the most common and widely utilized colour palette across Indian rock shelters like Bhimbetka.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Binding Medium: Pigments were mixed with water, plant extracts, and animal fats to ensure adhesion to rock surfaces.
☛ Bhimbetka Caves: Located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, these shelters host India's largest and most famous collection of prehistoric rock art.
☛ Chronology: Prehistoric rock art in India spans from the Upper Palaeolithic through the Mesolithic to the Chalcolithic periods, with the Mesolithic period having the largest number of paintings.
☛ Common Themes: Mesolithic rock art predominantly depicts hunting scenes, wild animals, communal dancing, and daily survival activities.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who discovered the Bhimbetka rock shelters in 1957? → Dr. V. S. Wakankar
☛ Which mineral was primarily used to produce green colour in prehistoric rock paintings? → Green chalcedony
☛ In which district of Madhya Pradesh are the Bhimbetka rock shelters located? → Raisen
☛ Which was the first discovery of rock art in India, made in 1867–68? → Sohagighat, Mirzapur (by Archibald Carlleyle)
☛ In which year was Bhimbetka inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? → 2003