Edakkal caves open for tourist now

Tourists can now visit the Edakkal Caves, situated on Ambukuthi hills, which are popular for Neolithic-age petroglyphs (rock engravings). The caves, which are a prime attraction in the region, had to be closed down after a huge stone collapsed due to heavy rainfall.
While entry to the first cave was banned, tourists were able to reach the second one through the secondary pathway, built specially for this purpose. However, entry will be permitted to a limited number of visitors. This was informed by Ramachandran Kadannappally, Minister for Archaeology and Archives.
The move comes in the wake of incessant rain and landslides that have hit the region quite prominently. As per the latest news reports, only 1920 visitors, which will be segregated into small teams of maximum 30 members, will be allowed initially. Also, as of now, entry to the first cave will be restricted till the authorities receive any report from the experts of Archaeology Department. However, the fallen rock has ignited fear among the environmentalists, who are arguing that the incident hints at damages suffered by the pre-historic site due to constructions and unchecked quarrying on the premises.

The origins of Edakkal carvings can be traced back to 6000 BC, which indicated the actual importance of this place to historians and archaeologists. It was in 1894, Fred Fawcett, who was then serving as the Police Superintendent of Malabar, discovered the Neolithic habitat of caveman during one of his hunting expeditions. The only detailed study available on the pictorial engravings is the one submitted by the Police Superintendent in ‘Indian Antiquary’.