A three-day workshop of archaeologists, scientists and historians organised by the Kerala Archaeological Department, which concluded here on Sunday, called for the scientific preservation of pre-historic remains, including cave paintings and dolmens spread over a wide area in the eastern parts of the Western Ghats.
Archaeological Department Director G. Premkumar, who attended the valedictory function of the workshop, said the suggestions of the experts would be codified and submitted as a project for action to the government. He said a joint effort by the Archaeological Department, Forest Department and local bodies was needed to protect the cave paintings.
The workshop noted that Anchunadu Valley is the only place in Kerala where the red ochre cave paintings can be found. So far, 18 cave paintings have been found. The team of experts comprised V.Jeyaraj, director, Hepzibah Institute of Heritage Conservation, Chennai, A.P. Pradeep Kumar, geologist, Kerala University, Ajith Kumar and Jeni Peter, archaeological experts and Saby Varghese, Marayur DFO.
