UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, INDIA

COMPREENDENDO A CRIAÇÂO DE CÚPULAS EM DARAKATI-CHATTAN, INDIA

Giriraj KUMAR* & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI**

* Professor Giriraj Kumar

Faculty of Arts - Dayalbagh Educational Institute
Dayalbagh, Agra-282 005 / India
RASI Secretary
e-mail: [email protected]

**Ramkrishna Prajapati
Arya College of Engineering and Information Technology
Kukas Industrial Area, Kukas
Jaipur-Delhi Highway
District Jaipur, Rajasthan / India

Abstract.
Recently cupules have been found in the excavations from Lower Palaeolithic deposits at Bhimbetka in
the Vindhyas and Daraki-Chattan in the Chambal basin in India. Daraki-Chattan yielded 28 cupules and
some hammerstones in the excavations carried out under the EIP Project by the Rock Art Society of
India from 2002 to 2006. It is one of the richest Palaeolithic cupule sites in the world. The most
fascinating aspect about most of the cupules in Daraki-Chattan is that they are so small in diameter. We
are convinced that this is intentional. So we need to find some way to measure the variables of skill
required in keeping the cupules to their small sizes. In this regard we studied cupules in Daraki-Chattan
Cave and conducted experiments to replicate them in 2002, 2004 and 2008, and these are continuing. It
is incredibly hard to make a cupule of 40 or 50 mm diameter, it requires great skill and precision. The
present paper presents our endeavour to replicate cupules on hard quartzite rock and observations made
particularly in 2008 and 2009.
 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

Recently cupules have been discovered in the In the lower side before group 1a: 18.3 x
excavations from Lower Palaeolithic deposits 17.6 x 5.7 mm
at Bhimbetka in the Vindhyas and Daraki-
Chattan (Figure 1) in the Chambal basin in No. 144; 24.65 x 27.0 x 11.35 mm, deep
India (Bednarik 1993; Kumar 2002, 2005 and conical cupule
2006). Daraki-Chattan yielded 28 cupules
No. 162. 24.5 x 23. 8 x 8.83 mm
(Figure 2) and some hammerstones (Figure 3)
in the excavations (Kumar et al 2005; Bednarik On southern wall of cave
et al 2005). With more than 500 cupules
executed on its two vertical walls, Daraki- 195b. 32.3 x 24.6 x 8.4 mm
Chattan is one of the richest Palaeolithic
4. Small cupules with angular periphery and
cupule sites in the world (Figure 4). It is
deep angular depth. There are only two
situated in the quartzite buttresses of
examples:
Indragarh Hill near Bhanpura, district
1. North wall, lower side before group
Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.
1a: 18.3 x 17.6 x 5.7 mm is of roughly
The archaic cupules in Daraki-Chattan Cave
can be classified broadly into four categories triangular periphery and angular depth.
with their sub-categories (Figure 5): 2. South wall, No. 23, 27.3 x 24.6 x 8.4
mm, with triangular periphery and
triangular depth. It is the only case of its
1. Big circular cupules, saucer shaped or of kind and a marvel of technological
168 deep round depth: achievement in archaic cupule
a. Big circular cupules of more than 50 production.
mm diameter and smooth saucer-
shaped, depth of more than 5 mm.
b. Big and deep cupules of about 30 to 50 Categories 1 and 2 form the major bulk of
mm diameter and 7 to 12 mm smooth the cupules in Daraki-Chattan Cave.
and round depth. Sometimes the depth Category 3 forms only a small part, while
is more than 12 mm. cupules of category 4 are rare (only two in
the cave).
2. Cupules with conical section:
c. Circular cupules of about 30 to 40 mm
diameter and conical shape, depth of Why replication of cupules?
more than 5 mm. Our study of early cupules on hard quartzite
rock is a pioneering research. In the global
d. Oval or elongated cupules with oblique
literature on rock art we do not have any
and conical-receding shape, deep side
reference to refer for replication work that
always downwards of centre.
could have helped us in understanding the
3. Small cupules with smooth floor: techniques used, or the intelligence and skill
e. Small circular cupules with shallow required and complexities involved in
smooth floor. These appear to be producing the cupules under study. “The
unfinished cupules. technology of petroglyphs”, a paper by Robert
G. Bednarik (1998), presents a preliminary
f. Small circular smooth cupules of deeper general survey about the state of the
depth. knowledge regarding the creation of
petroglyphs in general at a global level. He
On northern wall of cave emphasises the need for replication work with
a scientific methodology. But it also does not

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

help much to understand our problem, as ours (referring to a valley of boulders, cobbles and
was the first study of its kind on very archaic pebbles like sugar cakes).
cupules. Hence we have to follow our own
course in replicating cupule production. We Experimental rock
need to show how hard and demanding it is to The vertical rock of the small rockshelter to
make the above-mentioned different types of the left (south) of Daraki-Chattan has been
cupules on a very hard quartzite rock. It is used as our experimental rock. It is a
incredibly hard and requires immense skill and continuation of the bedrock of Daraki-Chattan
precision. Secondly, we also need to and consists of the same quartzite rock
understand and justify the nature and types of (Figures 6 and 7).
hammerstones discovered in the excavations
at Daraki-Chattan and correlate them with the In 2002 and 2004 we were able to produce
cupules in the cave. cupules of category 1a (big circular cupules of
more than 50 mm diameter and more than 5
mm depth, smooth and saucer shaped) and
Replication of cupules recorded the details of the process. Initial
Our experiment with replication of cupules results and observations were presented at the
commenced in 2002, the year of beginning First International Cupule Conference in
excavations at Daraki-Chattan. It continued in Cochabamba in Bolivia in 2007 (Kumar
2004 and 2008 and is still continuing. The 2007). A brief summary of it is being
second author joined GK in 2004. Now he is presented here.
the main person doing experiments, under the Janaki Lal Gujjar created replication cupule 169
supervision and guidance of GK. Through the RC-2. It is a big and deep cupule with smooth
study and observation of cupules in Daraki- surface and measures 55.7 x 55.0 x 9 mm. It
Chattan, GK was convinced from the very was produced by 16,800 strokes, in 132 min of
beginning that these have been produced actual working in two days, on 12 and 13 June
most probably by direct percussion technique, 2002 (Figure 8).
hence we used the same technique in the
Janaki Lal started striking at a rate of 135
experiments of cupule replication.
strikes/min. After 30 minutes the speed of his
striking reduced to 120 strikes/min. He used
Hammerstones used for practical work two cobbles, No. 2 and 3. as hammerstones.
Cobble No. 3 was comparatively big and
Pebbles and cobbles from Patasighati, with round, flaked off at one portion, hence a
purple-red core, are very hard and are most triangular stout point without cortex was
suitable for use as hammerstones for cupule available to use as striking head. It proved to
production, and also for making artefacts. be the most suitable hammerstone. Being a
They were similarly used at this place by left-hander, he did most of his work with his
hominins in the Lower Palaeolithic period. left hand, but sometimes he also used his right
Those on chert, chalcedony and igneous rock hand when he felt tired. The resultant
are not suitable because of their fragile nature. dimensions of the triangular striking end of
Patasighati is located between Indragarh Hill the first hammerstone (cobble No. 2) were 40
and Chanchalamata Hill. It contains highly x 63 mm. The tool wear occurred along the
cemented boulder conglomerate of a river margin of the struck surface. Powerful strokes
deposit in a palaeochannel. It may predate the by big hammerstones produced a big and deep
appearance of hominins on this land, as no cupule with smooth surface, compared to soft
stone artefacts have been observed there. It strokes by small hammerstones (being used by
must have been a very powerful stream of very another shepherd youth, Hira Lal Gujjar,
high velocity, as the boulders up to 50 cm working on RC-1). Hira Lal produced a
diameter have become almost round, some are comparatively small and shallow cupule
flat round, hence the local name Patasighati measuring 42.0 x 36.6 x 1.9 mm in dimension,

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

in 8490 soft strokes in actual work for 72 min 4. Medium-size, deep cupules with regular
in one day on 12 June 2002. periphery can be produced by trained,
skilled and physically strong persons.
5. Broad deep cupules are executed by use of
Replication of cupules in 2004 multiple hammerstones with great patience
To enrich our experience of cupule creation and commitment. Big, heavy hammers are
and to record the process more systematically not practically useful for the creation of
we resumed the replication of cupule such cupules.
production on the experimental rock on 19 6. After achieving a certain diameter and
and 20 June 2004. This time the replication depth, further strikes affect only the inner
work was done not by rural youths as in 2002, portion of the cupule, thus the outer
but by two urban youths, Ramkrishna and diameter generally remains the same while
Mangal Singh, The main objectives of this depth gradually increases. It is like cutting
exercise were: through the earlier hammered surface.
1. To determine the duration required to 7. The hammerstones yielded from the
create a cupule. Daraki-Chattan excavations are generally
2. To observe the gradual development in the similar to the initial stage of striking of the
striking facet of the hammerstone. experimental hammerstones. They were
used mostly at more than one point. It
Strokes were counted at 15-minute intervals. means that the hammerstones we are
The progressive diameter and depth of the recovering in the excavations were not
cupule in the process of its creation were used on one point for a long time, but
170
measured, also the dimensions of the rather for short durations of direct
developing striking area of the hammerstone percussion.
at the same time. Both were photographed at
15-minute intervals. Replication of cupules in 2008
The authors resumed the work of replicating
As the details of the recording of the creation cupules from 25 to 27 December 2008. P. K.
of replicated cupules RC.3, 4 and 5 have Bhatt and Dinesh Kumar helped us in this
already been presented, here we are listing mission. This time our objective was to
only our observations. replicate small cupules of conical shape (i.e.
cupules of category 2a).
Observations made in 2002 and 2004
We re-observed Daraki-Chattan Cave
1. Chips flaked off on both sides of the carefully, especially comparatively small
striking end of the hammerstone (mur-e). cupules with conical shape. These appear to be
2. The processes of battering of the a work of patience and could have been
hammerstone surface and chipping on produced by steady and consistent strokes
both its sides occur simultaneously. When with precision. We also observed that there are
the hammerstone is struck forcefully, small some small and shallow cupules, which appear
to big chips chipped off, resulting in an to be left unfinished after some initial work.
elongated battered surface with chipping Ramkrishna and Dinesh Kumar collected
marks on both sides, while on striking suitable small cobbles from Patasighati to be
normally and rhythmically only small chips used as hammerstones in cupule replication.
came out, and chipping remains minimum. Ramkrishna started work on replication cupule
3. A broad cupule with irregular periphery 6 (RC-6) at 3:40 pm on 25 December and
means that it was created by untrained continued the experiment for the next two
hands. days. Details of his work are given below:

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

We re-observed Daraki-Chattan Cave carefully, especially comparatively small cupules with conical
shape. These appear to be a work of patience and could have been produced by steady and consistent
strokes with precision. We also observed that there are some small and shallow cupules, which appear
to be left unfinished after some initial work. Ramkrishna and Dinesh Kumar collected suitable small
cobbles from Patasighati to be used as hammerstones in cupule replication. Ramkrishna started work
on replication cupule 6 (RC-6) at 3:40 pm on 25 December and continued the experiment for the
next two days. Details of his work are given below:

Date RC Phase of Time No. of HS No. Remarks

No. striking strokes

25 Dec RC-6 1 1 min 56 HS-1 HS-1, flat dark brown quartzite cobble,
3:40 pm 140.4 x 95.0 x 50.5 mm. Rejected because of
its fragile nature

2 4 min 317 HS-2 Patinated, quartzite cobble with purple

colour core, 118 x 75 x ? mm

3 2 min 173

4 2 min 194 Started going deep in to the cupule leaving

171
third stage surface towards periphery

5 2 min 169 Going deep

6 2 min 250 HS-3

7 2 min 206

8 2 min 203

9 2 min 185 RC-6 dimension: 26.4 x 25.7 x 2.4 mm

26 Dec 10 2 min 217 HS-4 HS-4, quartzite cobble with hard purple
11:30 core, 87 x 67 x 48 mm in dimension, striking
am end flat, 11 mm wide, broken from three
sides, retaining cortex on one side only.

11 2 min 208 Light stokes

12 2 min 162

13 2 min 174

14 2 min 234 Light strokes

15 2 min 214 Light strokes

16 2 min 268 Light strokes

17 2 min 315 Light strokes

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 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

18 2 min 268 Light strokes

19 2 min 341 Light strokes

20 2 min 298 Light strokes

21 2 min 280 Light strokes

22 2 min 286 Dimension of RC-6: 28.0 x 27.9 x 3 mm,

Striking surface of HS-4: 19.5 x 11 mm

23 2 min 213 HS- The stone of HS-4 is very good, hence we

reused it as HS-4-5. To get pointed striking
4-5 head we flaked off certain portion from its
used striking head. After a lot of effort we
obtained a head of the dimension 19.5 x 3
mm.

24 2 min 430 Light stokes executed by G. Kumar

25 2 min 228

26 2 min 241
172
27 2 min 193

28 2 min 189

29 2 min 167 HS- Dimension of RC-6: 28.0 x 27.9 x 4 mm,

only depth is increasing.
4-5
Dimension of the striking head of HS-4-5:
19.5 x 4 mm, only width of striking head is
increasing.

Took a break.

30 2 min 195

31 2 min 209

32 2 min 212

33 2 min 187

34 2 min 162

35 2 min 226 Dimension of RC-6: 29.0 x 28.0 x 4.6 mm,

depth is increasing and diameter also slightly.

36 2min 177 HS- We again modified HS-4-5 to get pointed

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

4-5-6 striking head. HS-4-5-6 dimensions 69.4 x

65.8 x 47.4 mm

37 2 min 218

38 2 min 160

27 Dec 39 2 min 130

10:25
am

40 2 min 156 Dimension of RC-6: 29.0 x 28.0 x 5.0 mm,

only depth is increasing.

Have to discard HS-6 having dimensions

69.4 x 65.8 x 47.4 mm

41 2 min 136 HS-7 A quartzite cobble from Patasighati, with

hard, purple colour core and nearly one mm-
thick weathered rind. It has a hard pointed
head with 13 mm wide base. Dimensions:
101.0 x 67.8 x 53.0 mm. 173
42 2 min 148

43 2 min 122

44 2 min 142

45 2 min 137 HS- HS-7 was modified to HS-7-8, dimensions

86.3 x 67.8 x 53.0 mm. It has a blunt point
7-8 and broad base.

46 2 min 202 Dimensions of RC-6: 32.5 x 30.6 x 6.0 mm.

A slight change in striking angle making the
lower side of HS touching the periphery of
the cupule, resulting in increasing its
diameter.

HS-7-8 broke down while modifying it for

further use, hence discarded.

47 2 min 540 HS-9 Light strokes by G. Kumar.

HS-9 is a quartzite cobble.

48 2 min 535 Light strokes by G. Kumar

49 2 min 538 Light strokes by G. Kumar

50 2 min 534 Light strokes by G. Kumar

51 2 min 211 Striking resumed by Ramkrihsna

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 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

52 2 min 198

53 2 min 201

54 2 min 156 Dimension of RC-6: 32.5 x 32.5 x 6.6 mm.

HS-9 discarded at this stage, as fragments

had chipped from its head, now 19 x 13 mm
in size.

1:50 to 55 15 2170 HS-10 HS-10 is a small, flat quartzite cobble. 76.6 x

2:05 pm min 48.0 x ? mm.

2:10 to 56 15 2168
2:25 pm min

2:35 to 57 15 2162 HS-10 after 45 min of its use: 76.6 x 48.0 x

min 20.4 mm.
2:50 pm
Dimension of RC-6: 32.5 x 30.6 x 8.0 mm,
only depth is increasing

58 2 min 240 HS-11 HS-11 is a flake that had naturally become

detached from a quartzite cobble with hard,
174
purple core from Patasighati. Its dimensions:
56.0 x 57.0 x 28.6 mm.

59 2 min 180

60 2 min 130 Striking head of the HS-11 became quite

blunt, hence discarded.

61 12 2100 HS-10- Used HS-10 it was modified to HS-12, after

min 12 12 min use, 58.4 x 46.7 x 21.2 mm.

Dimensions of RC-6: 33.5 x 32.5 x 9.0 mm.

It is of conical shape.

1- Table 1. Details of work done on RC-6 by Ramkrishna.

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

Date RC Phase of Time HS Remarks

No. striking No.

26 Dec RC-7 1 15 min, HS-1 HS-1. It is a patinated cobble from Patasighati

with purple colour core. 81.7 x 59.7 x 44.7 mm
12:00 12:00-12:15 pm

noon

2 15 min,

12:20-

12:35 pm

3 15 min,

1:00-

1:15 pm

4 05 min, HS-2 HS-2 dimension: 91.7 x 69.7 x 45 mm. It is a

flat quartzite cobble, dark-brown in colour
3:10-
175
3:15 pm

5 15 min,

3:25-

3:40 pm

6 15 min,

3:45-

4:00 pm

7 10 min HS-3 HS-3 is a hard quartzite cobble, 138 x 84 x 80

mm in dimension, used from two stout
4:00- opposite ends.

4:15 pm

8 15 min,

4:20-

4:35 pm

9 15 min, HS-4 HS-4 is a quartzite cobble. Dimension of RC-7

at stage-9: 34 x 30 x 5 mm
5:00-

5:15 am

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

27 Dec 10 15 min, HS-5

10:30 10:30-10:45 am
am

11 15 min, HS-5-6 HS-5 has to be modified to HS-5-6. New

dimension: 118.8 x 77.0 x 42
10:50-11:05 am

12 15 min,

11:10-11:25 am

13 15 min,

11:35-11:50 am

14 15 min,

12:00-12:15 pm

15 10 min, After stage-15, HS-5-6 has to be modified to

HS-5-6-7
12:20-
176
12:30 pm

16 15 min, HS-5- After stage-16 dimension of RC-7 is

6-7
12:45- 38.4 x 32.3 x 6.4 mm. After stage-16, HS-5-6-7
was again modified to HS-5-6-7-8
1:00 pm

17 15 min, HS-5-
6-7-8
2:15-

2:30 pm

18 20 min, Striking head of the HS has become round,

21.8 x 20.0 mm. After stage-18 dimension of
2:35- RC-7 is 49.0 x 32.5 x 6.5 mm.
2:55 pm

Table 2. Details of work done on replication cupule RC-7 by Dinesh Kumar on 26 and 27
December 2008. Number of strokes not counted in this case.

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

Year and Person Details No., shape No. of Duration No. Comments
dates of and of
replicating of the strokes of actual days
Cupule worker dimension of
cupule used work in
work
Replication of
replicated minutes

cupule

2002 Janakilal A young RC-2, 17,300 138 min 2 days It is a work more of
Gujjar saucer-like strength and commitment,
June 12-13 shepherd big cupule, strokes and less of mind.
from Hammerstone has to be
village 55.7 x 55.0 lifted up to the level of
x 9 mm shoulder (28 to 30 cm) to
exert great power and
strength to it while
striking. Use of big cobbles
as HS.

2004 Ramkrishna Hr sec RC-5, 21,730 240 min, 2 days Produced by untrained
student broad, deep hands with enthusiasm. 177
June 19-20 from city strokes in phases
Cupule with of 15 min Hammerstone has to be
irregular lifted up to the level of
duration shoulder to exert great
Periphery. power and strength to it
while striking. Use of big
77.7 x 59.0
cobbles as HS.
x 6.7 mm

2008 Diniesh Villager RC-7, deep Strokes 255 min, 2 days Number of strokes not
Kumar saucer like not recorded to obtain result
Dec 26-27 small counted in one fast. Used both pebbles
cupule, phase of and cobbles as
15 min hammerstones, and lifted it
49.0 x 32.5 15 to 17 cm to exert
x 6.5 mm duration
pressure and power on it.
It is a work of patience.

2008 Ramkrishna Student RC-6, Small 21,661 162 min, 3 days Steady work with precision
from city cupule with in phases and concentration, with
Dec 25-27 conical strokes of 2 min recordings at short
depth, intervals. It is a work of
duration comparatively soft strokes
33.5 x 32.5 made by small
x 9.0 mm. hammerstones, by lifting
them only up to a height of
5 to 6 cm

Table 3. Comparative summary of the cupule replication experiment.

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

Observations 2008 elongated battered surface with chipping

Ramkrishna created RC-6 in comparatively marks on its both sides, while on striking
soft 21,661 strokes, in actual work of 162 normally and rhythmically only small chips
minutes in three days. He created RC-6 is with came out, and chipping remains minimal.
conical shape, measuring 33.5 x 32.5 x 9.0 2. Cupule creation on a hard quartzite
mm. To produce it we maintained the time of vertical rock is a tough job. It requires
striking phases mostly of 2 min duration, and involvement, commitment, great patience,
properly recorded the process. Ramkrishna consistency, devotion, strength,
used cobbles of different size as concentration and dedication. Small
hammerstones, which were generally collected cupules with an average diameter of 25 to
from Patasighati and are of highly 28 mm and depth of 6 to 8.4 mm are the
metamorphosed hard, purple-red colour core work of immense skill and great patience
and a thin weathering rind around them. They with steady and consistent strokes
also had stout points and broad bases, suitable executed with precision.
for holding with a firm grip while using them 3. Most of the cupules in Daraki-Chattan
as hammerstones. Ramkrishna used 12 Cave are perfect in terms of regular form,
hammerstones to produce the cupule, out of design and execution (of course, there are a
which cobble HS-4 was used three times as few which are neither circular nor
HS-4, 5 and 6, and that of HS-7 and HS-10 for rectangular). Hence, they appear to have
two times as HS-7 and 8 and HS-10 and 12 been produced with controlled and perfect
respectively, as the quality of hardness of their strokes. Not a single stroke has gone
stone was superior. To obtain a stout point on outside. Sometimes when two or more
178
the used striking-head we have to modify it by cupules have been made side by side, even
taking out some flakes. then their edges are perfect, and not mixed
with each other. It means strokes were
Dinesh Kumar created RC-7 in actual work of very precise and were executed with sharp
255 minute in two days. It is 49.0 x 32.5 x 6.5 focus and total concentration.
mm in dimension and looks like a deep saucer. 4. Our practical experience shows that even
To create this cupule in a comparatively short if we work with total concentration, it is
period we did not count strokes, and each not possible to remain so for long time.
phase of striking lasted for 15 min instead of During the process some moments come
the 2 min of Ramkrishna. when for a fraction of a second we lose
concentration and a stroke becomes
Dinesh used eight hammerstones to produce
uncontrolled. Such uncontrolled impact
it, out of which cobble HS-5 was used for four
results in the increase in diameter,
times as HS-5 and 6, 7 and 8 by using it at
especially when working on a small cupule.
different points and modifying it again and
It means perfect small cupules were not
again. He generally used quartzite cobbles of
made in a short duration. Rather, it appears
different size from Patasighati as
to be the result of a long process of
hammerstones. They were having at least one
working in many phases of short duration.
or more stout point and are suitable for
5. Only an expert with regular practice can
holding with a firm grip while using them as
bear the rebound power and pain of the
hammerstones.
strokes to strike properly in the course of
Observations 2008-2009 (Figures 9 and 10) working. An inexperienced person,
without exercise and practice, when
1. The processes of battering of the
working on cupules find that after a short
hammerstone head and chipping on its
time (within one or two hours) his hand
sides occur simultaneously. When the
starts shaking (shivering) with pain. Eyes
hammerstone is struck forcefully, small to
becoming ‘stiff’ with constant focus. At
big chips chipped off, resulting in an
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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

this moment even the movement of eyelids 11. Cupule creation is definitely neither a
interrupts the focus. leisure work nor a ludic activity. It might
6. In the process of cupule creation higher be associated with something specific,
lifting of the hand for striking means more deeply related with life. It is also possible
powerful but less controlled strokes. It that cupule creation might be associated
happens when we use large-size with rhythm of some sort of music and
hammerstones. Lower lifting of the hand singing. It is apparent from our
yields strokes with comparatively less observation while replicating the cupules.
power, but increased control, hence more On the second day on 26 December 2008,
precision. It is possible with comparatively Ramkrishna resumed working on RC-6.
small-size hammerstones. This observation GK also put Dinesh to work on RC-7,
indicates that big cupules were produced close to Ramkrishna. Soon Ramkrishna
by robust striking with involvement and started losing concentration by the sound
dedication, but not much attention. produced by arrhythmic strokes of Dinesh.
Reduction in size with increased depth of But, after some time the striking of
cupule means proper planning, great Ramkrihsna automatically became
involvement, dedication, concentration synchronised with that of Dinesh. It means
and patience. It means comparatively high cupules in Daraki-Chattan might have
intelligence and skill are essential for been produced either one after the other
producing small-deep cupules. individually, or on the rhythm of some
7. Our experiment shows that after achieving music. The possibility of latter appears
a certain diameter of the cupule by initial strong. 179
striking, it becomes possible to strike in the 12. Cupule replication should be made at
centre of it. Thus, if we are using a suitable height for convenient striking. If
hammerstone with a stout head and broad RC-6 might have been 20 cm downwards,
base, in the process of striking depth it might have made difference for better
increases in the centre. But, after a certain performance. In this regard when we
point it starts cutting into the rim of the observe the cupules made on the walls of
cupule because of the broad base of the the cave close to the bedrock of the floor,
striking head. Hence, we obtain an almost the task of their production appears very
conical shape of the cupule. difficult.
8. It is essential to keep the base of the 13. Oval and elongated cupules with angular
striking head broad so that the latter can depth and also small and deep cupules with
bear the force of direct percussion, angular depth cannot be produced by
otherwise it breaks down. simple striking. These must have been the
9. That is why, if we want to keep the product of some refined technology and
diameter of the cupule as small as possible special skill. We will try for their
while going deep in to it, we have to keep replication next time.
on either changing the hammerstones or
modifying the used striking head to get a Final comments
stout point out of it from time to time. We
discovered such a hammerstone with used 1. In Daraki-Chattan, cupules of category-1
stout head and broad base from layer 4 in appear to be the work more of strength
the excavation of Daraki-Chattan. This and commitment and less of mind. They
provides a solid ground to correlate some were produced by using a very simple and
of the conical cupules in the cave to the primitive technology of direct percussion.
Acheulian culture of layer 4. They appear to represent the earliest stage
10. Striking produces a sound of high pitch, of cupule production. Our cupule
hence continuous striking renders the ears replication experiment indicates that to
dumb for some time. produce cupules of category 1a requires

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

two to six hammerstones on cobbles to

produce such cupules, depending on the
quality of the stone used and the strength
of the person at work. It is a tough and
tedious task to produce a cupule on hard
quartzite rock. It requires motivation, 3. Cupule creation is definitely not a leisure
commitment, strength, endurance and activity. It is a very tough job and appears
patience for their production. Cupules of to be closely associated with something
category 1b can be produced similarly by special and deeply related with life.
using hammerstone with stout and sturdy
striking heads. It needs longer duration of
Acknowledgements
work and high concentration besides all
the above-mentioned qualities. At the same Rock Art Society of India
time it requires use of multiple Dr P.K. Bhatt, Dinesh Kumar, Janaki Lal
hammerstones to achieve deep round and Gujjar, Bhanpura
smooth depth. Geeta Devi, Agra
2. Cupules of category 2 are comparatively Robert G. Bednarik, AURA and IFRAO,
small and of conical shape, particularly of Australia
category 2a. We successfully replicated
them in December 2008. They appear to
be the work of modified technology of
direct percussion, which requires proper
180
planning, immense skill and great precision
and patience. The person at work on
cupule production cannot afford a wrong
stroke, even in a thousand ones, as it
increases the diameter of the cupule.

Figure 1.
Daraki-Chattan Cave in the quartzite
buttresses of Indragarh Hill near
Bhanpura in district Mandsaur, Madhya
Pradesh in Chambal basin

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

Figure 2.

Slabs bearing cupules obtained from Lower

Palaeolithic deposits in the excavations of Daraki-
Chattan from 2002 to 2006: (a) from layer 3, in
seven pieces joined together; (b) and (c) big slab
lying in situ in layer 5 (in the lower left side of the
image), bearing a big deep cupule, and close-up of
the same; (d) and (e) a slab lying in layer 5/6,
bearing an oval/elliptical cupule (broken) and
close-up of the same.

(a)

181

(b) (c)

(d) (e)

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

(a) (b)

Figure 3. Some of the hammerstones (HS)

obtained from Lower Palaeolithic deposits in the
excavations of Daraki-Chattan from 2002 to 2006:
(a) HS from layer 6; (b) HS from layer 4.

182

(a)

Figure 4. (a) Southern wall of Daraki-Chattan bearing

cupules. (b) A group of cupules on the southern wall of
Daraki-Chattan.

(b)

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

(a) (b)

Figure 5.
183
Cupules of different shape, size and categories of
depth in Daraki-Chattan Cave: (a) bowl-shape cupule
on northern wall; (b) oval-shape cupule on northern
wall; (c) small cupules with conical shape on southern
wall; (d) small cupule with triangular periphery and
triangular shape on southern wall; (e) small cupule
with oblique shape on southern wall.

(c)

(e) (f)

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

(a) (b)

Figure 6. (a) The quartzite vertical rock face in a small rock shelter in the left side (south) of and close to
Daraki-Chattan. On this rock face experiments of cupule replication have being carried on since 2002. (b)
Close up of the group of replicated cupules.

184

Figure 7. Ramkrishna on work of replication of cupule RC 9 in June 2009.

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 UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION OF CUPULES IN DARAKI-CHATTAN, ÍNDIA

(a) (b)
Figure 8. (a) Replicated cupule, RC-2; (b) one of the hammerstones with broad striking head used for its
replication in 2002.

185

Figure 9. Replicated cupule RC-9.

(a) (b)

Figure 10.
(a) One of the hammerstones used for replication of RC-9; (b) close-up of its striking head after its use.

Congresso Internacional da IFRAO 2009 – Piauí / BRASIL

 Giriraj KUMAR & Ramkrishna PRAJAPATI

References
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WATCHMAN, and R. G. ROBERTS. 2005.
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KUMAR, G. 1995a. Daraki-Chattan: a

Palaeolithic cupule site in India. Purakala 6 (1-
2): 17-28.

KUMAR, G. 1995b. Petroglyphs in the rock

art of Chambal valley and Aravalli Hills: a new
phenomenon. Paper presented in the
Symposium 14D, ‘News of the World’ in the
News 95 – International Rock Art Congress,
Torino, Italy, 30 August to 6 September 1995.

KUMAR, G. 1996. Daraki-Chattan: a

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KUMAR, G. 2002. EIP Project report I:

archaeological excavation and explorations at
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KUMAR, G. 2005. Petroglyphs discovered at

Ajmer in Rajasthan. Purakala 14-15: 116-117.
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KUMAR, G, R. G. BEDNARIK, A.
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and RAMKRISHNA 2006. Discovery of early
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KUMAR, G. 2007. Understanding the

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special reference to Daraki-Chattan in India.

4 / Tendências recentes na pesquisa mundial da arte rupestre – Recent Trends In World Rock Art Research