The Department of Archaeology has declared the entire hillocks with prehistoric rock paintings at Alampadi, Melvaalai, and Sethavarai villages in Villupuram as protected monuments.
Melvalai, a nondescript village around 22 km from Villupuram, is a treasure trove of prehistoric rock art.
The word, Rattapparai, has become synonymous with the rock art painted in red ochre.
The paintings at Melvalai date back to 3000 B.C.
The paintings are of human figurines, animals, and symbols.
The Melvalai and Sethavarai sites are spread over 4.26 and 110.79 hectares respectively.
Alampadi has a combination of prehistoric rock paintings in red and white ochre that are similar to those found at Sethavarai.