a large wild bovine (possibly a gaur or bison) is seen. The paintings are classified largely in two groups, one as depictions of hunters and food gatherers, and in others as fighters, riding on horses and elephant carrying metal weapons. The first group of paintings date to prehistoric times while second one dates to historic times. Most of the paintings from the historic period depict battles between rulers carrying swords, spears, bows and arrows. In one of the desolate rock shelters, the painting of a man holding a trident-like staff and dancing has been nicknamed "Nataraj" by archaeologist V. S. Wakankar. It is estimated that paintings in at least 100 rock shelters might have eroded away. "Dickinsonia fossils" Fossils of Dickinsonia tenuis, an early animal from the Ediacaran Period, were reported from Bhimbetka; they were said to be identical with D. tenuis fossils from the Ediacara Member of Ediacara Hills in South Australia. From this, several paleogeographic conclusions were made, such as the formation of Gondwanaland by 550 million years ago. However, later examination showed that the purported fossil material was simply decayed remnants of a beehive. Similar sites in India Other misolithic sites with cave art, tools, paintings, etc are Anangpur caves (Faridabad) and Mangar Bani Caves (Gurugram) in Delhi NCR, and Pahargarh caves (Morena) in Madhya Pradesh. See also Belum Caves Cave paintings and other rock art Cave paintings in India Cumbe Mayo, Peru Pahargarh caves Petroglyph National Monument Rock art Rock carvings at Alta References External links UNESCO World Heritage: Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Prehistoric Art of Bhimbetka Bhimbetka Gallery by A. N. Maheshwari Pre-historic Paintings of Bhimbetka by L. L. Kamat The Rock Art of Central India TRACCE Online Rock Art Bulletin photogallery by Sarbanidas Roy World Heritage Sites in India Caves of Madhya Pradesh Archaeological sites in Madhya Pradesh Tourist attractions in Bhopal Prehistoric art in India Tourist attractions in Raisen district Rock art in India Caves containing pictograms in India Rock shelters World Heritage Sites in Madhya Pradesh