The correct option is 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Explanation
The Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for rock paintings that span from the Upper Paleolithic to the Medieval period. The most prolific phase corresponds to the Mesolithic period. These paintings serve as a historical record of the lifestyle, economy, and social practices of early humans.
Analysis of Depicted Activities:
- 1. Honey collection (Correct): The paintings vividly depict subsistence activities. One of the common themes includes figures climbing trees or rocks to collect honey from beehives, often shown with bees hovering around.
- 2. Decoration of bodies (Correct): The artwork illustrates the social and cultural life of the inhabitants. Human figures are frequently shown with body decorations, tattoos, and masks. Women are depicted preparing colors and painting their bodies.
- 3. Animal fighting (Correct): The rock art captures the natural environment and animal behavior. Scenes include animals fighting one another, as well as humans engaging with animals during hunts.
- 4. Elephant riding (Correct): While early layers focus on hunting and gathering, later layers (attributed to the Chalcolithic and Historic periods) depict organized social life, including soldiers or figures riding horses and elephants, carrying weapons like shields and swords.
Key Takeaway: Bhimbetka paintings provide a continuous timeline of human evolution in India, transitioning from scenes of hunting and gathering (honey collection, dancing) to scenes of settled life and warfare (riding elephants and horses).