An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c18.s1.4

v1.c18.s1.4

In spite of this wide distribution more than three-fourths of the rock art sites are situated in the Vindhyan sandstone hills of c. India. The reason for this lies in the geology of this region. Being a soft sedimentary rock sandstone is easily susceptible to weathering. The action of heat, cold, wind and water leads to the slow but steady decay of the weaker strata in the rocks. In the process cavities of various forms and sizes in the shape of holes, chambers, shelters and caves are formed. Sometimes the softer sediments in the lower portions of the rocks are washed away, leaving the harder upper portions standing as long projecting roofs. The same action leads to the formation of all kinds of weirdly shaped rocks. Sometimes massive rocks fall and come to rest against other rocks, thereby forming shelters.