Barsu Geoglyphs

The Barsu Geoglyphs are located near Barsu village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India, in the Konkan region along the western coast. The carvings are spread across laterite rock surfaces in the area.

The Barsu geoglyphs are estimated to date from the Mesolithic period to early historic times, with some carvings potentially being many thousands of years old. They are part of a larger concentration of Konkan rock art that has been studied since the early 2000s.

The Barsu geoglyphs depict a variety of subjects including animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, and deer, as well as human figures and geometric patterns. Some carvings show species not currently found in the region, providing clues about past climate and ecology.

The Barsu geoglyphs have faced concern due to a proposed oil refinery project in the Ratnagiri region, which could potentially damage or destroy portions of the rock art. Local archaeologists and environmental groups have campaigned for the preservation of the site.