The oldest paintings are estimated to be 30,000 years old and have survived due to its location deep inside the caves. There is a marked continuity in the occupancy of caves from 10,000 BC to 1000 AD with many paintings being painted on top of another.
The paintings of Bhimbetka belong to upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic early historic and even mediaeval period. However, most of the paintings belong to the Mesolithic age.
The paintings generally portray every-day life of pre-historic men often in stick-like human figures. Various animals like elephant, bison, deer, peacock and snake are depicted.
The paintings also show hunting scenes and war scenes with men carrying weapons like bows, arrows, spears, shields and swords. Some Paintings also have simple geometric designs and symbols. The other themes of the paintings are dancing, playing music, animal fighting, honey collection etc.
Social life is well-depicted with presence of children playing, women making food, community dancing etc. Various colours like red ochre, purple, brown, white, yellow and green are used. Colours were obtained from natural resources, for example, Haematite ores were used for red colour.