Unraveling the Mystery of the Ancient Bicycle Carving in Bali

Have you heard about the story of a centuries sculpture of a bicycle discovered within the revered halls of a temple, in Bali? This intriguing finding has sparked curiosity and debates among historians and archaeology enthusiasts as it suggests that bicycles may have existed in India before their invention.

Could this be Evidence of Bicycles in Ancient India?

The presence of this bicycle carving has led to theories with some suggesting that ancient Indians might have used bicycles for transportation much earlier than previously believed. Numerous online speculations even present this sculpture as proof that bicycles were used in India around 1,000 years before their documented invention. But is such a claim 

Explaining the Bicycle Mystery Logically

As is often the case with enigmas there is usually a rational explanation behind them. This is where Dr. R. Kalaikovan, an ophthalmologist and amateur researcher comes into play. In his investigation he discovered that the temple underwent renovations during the 1920s—a time when bicycles were gaining popularity in that region.

Where Past and Present Intersect; The Bicycle Carving

The theory suggests that an exceptionally skilled sculptor was fascinated by the novelty of bicycles and decided to immortalize this modern marvel by etching it into stone—an artistic representation bridging the gap, between past traditions and contemporary influences.

This sacred site never fails to amaze and fascinate all those who visit it.

The field of archaeology is filled with puzzles, where some discoveries made a hundred years ago are only now beginning to be understood in the era.

Source; IFLScience

Image credit; A sculpture created by an artist during their travels, in Bali. Dionisius Purba/Flickr (CC BY 2.0).