Indore: Which continent developed first? We can find about it with international-level research in field of rock art. Rock art found in Europe and Africa can be compared with that of India to find which continent developed first, said Wakankar Cultural Research Trust secretary Dilip Wakanar.He was addressing a three-day conference on ways to conserve rock art being held in Ujjain. Wakankar said only five per cent of all the rock art at Bhimbetka caves is explored and open to tourists. But it is only this five per cent which faces a risk as compared to the remaining 95 per cent.On the first day, speakers including Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) chairman Dr Arvind Jamkhedkar, shed light on various styles of rock art, types of idols on the basis of their historic period drawing styles etc. Jamkhedkar stressed on the need for conservation and restoration of rock art and archaeology.An exhibition gallery dedicated to Dr VS Wakankar- the archaeologist who explored Bhimbetka caves – was also opened on the occasion. Drawings and sketches made by Wakankar on hundreds of rock art sites of Madhya Pradesh, including those at Chambal belt, which was drowned in the Indira Sagar project, were displayed.“It is not easy to make all rock art sites accessible to tourists since they are located deep within forests and hills. Also, they are preserved only because there isn’t much human interference,” Wakankar said.Wakankar also expressed his expectations from government stating that lack of investment in this field dissuaded youngster from taking it up as a career. “We need more efficient laboratories for testing of rocks and better equipment for analysing the heritage we have,” he said.

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