Cave dates back to the prehistoric age. Leave it or live in, you cannot resist it. The obscure passage, pungent smell, enigmatic drawings, striking features; the multitude facets of each cave has its own history.
The nature and formation of caves are very esoteric. More of a reason for its exoteric eye-reach among travelers and thrill-seekers alike.
Travelers and cave dwellers, or as I would like to say, "Cravelers," have one thing in common. At one point, they must have had decided to embark on a journey never walked before - to measure the vastness of the sky, to feel the intensity of light, to breathe the spirit of the season, and to seek the solace in life.
Cave dwellers or not, it has always piqued the interest of human either to evade or to confront their fate. The movie 'Croods' is exemplary proof of the evasive nature of human beings.
So, while you plan to have an escapade again, here's to the caves that were once inhabited by early settlers.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, trace the earliest human life in the foothills of Vindhyan Mountains. Home to more than 700 caves, Bhimbetka hills holds the oldest petroglyph, art and undecipherable Sankha script.
Engraved on its walls are stone age rock painting and art of all ages (Upper Paleolithic to historic periods) providing a glimpse into the everyday lives of prehistoric people and the practices followed then. Evidence shows that it is 300,000 - 700,000 years old site.
Niah Caves, Malaysia:
This cavern is known for the oldest human settlement in East Malaysia. Human remnants suggest that it is 40,000 years old. Stone tools, rock paintings and artefacts like jewellery, pottery and bones are as old as 4000 years.
This natural cave is a beauty to behold and a real treat for both travellers and explorers. Niah Caves National Park also offers accommodation facility if you want to spend a day or more exploring the site.
Azokh Caves, Azerbaijan
A living site of stone-age man, Azokh cave is considered to be the habitat of the ancient human beings - Azykhantrops.
Studies suggest that the cave was a residing place for three different hominin species (heidelbergenies, neandertalensis, and sapiens).
The excavation of the site found a human jaw-bone of Neanderthal type (400 thousand years old) apart from the bones of wild animals like boar, lion, rhino and stone instruments dated 1 to 1.5 million years.
Uplistsikhe caves, Georgia
Forget a cave or myriads of it. There exist a cave town where rock-hewn structure, carved ceilings and extraordinary artifacts narrate a tale of time unknown to the modern world
It is the oldest urban settlements in eastern Georgia. Artifacts unearthed during the excavations go back as far as the Iron Age.
Structures include functional buildings, prisons, cellars, ceremonial places, amphitheater and lower caves.
