About Koloshi Pre-Historic Stone-Age Caves

The cave, which is situated in a secluded forest in Sindhudurg, was discovered by researchers who were studying rock carvings in nearby areas. Excavation work was conducted in two rounds, during which archaeologists dug two trenches inside the cave. Several big and small stone tools dating back to the Mesolithic period - also called the middle stone age - have been found. The microliths, or the small stone tools, date back to around 10,000 years, whereas the larger tools could be around 20,000 years old.

While no animal remains have been recovered, the presence of quartzite seems to point to the possible knowledge and practice of hunting small- to medium-sized mammals.
Meanwhile, there is very little evidence of ancient occupancy and accompanying sedimentary accumulations of cultural items in the Konkan region. But the modern environmental analogues in the Konkan zone suggest that the cave could have been used on a seasonal basis during the monsoon months.

Archaeologists say chemical processes are used to analyse any residue that might be present on the edges of the artefacts. This can help determine what the object was used for. Maharashtra's laterite-rich Konkan plateau where this cave was discovered is also a treasure trove of prehistoric art. In the past, explorers have discovered rock carvings of animals, birds, human figures and geometrical designs hidden under layers of soil in several villages here.

So far, 1700 petroglyphs - or rock carvings - have been found at 132 locations in 76 villages in Sindhudurg and nearby Ratnagiri district.