It is believed that the Edakkal caves are Neolithic group camping shelters (south Indian Neolithic culture zone). The walls of the cave hold a series of Neolithic rock engravings and drawings (that have been incised over time). Most of the images on the walls of the cave may be from the late Neolithic period. No concrete evidence for the existence of a true Neolithic culture in Kerala has been discovered so far except for Edakkal.Fred Fawcett, Police Superintendent, Malabar District, discovered the caves in 1896 and immediately recognized their anthropological and historical significance. He wrote an article (1901) on the Indian Antiquary caves, which drew scholars' attention.
Edakkal's caverns are not technically caves, but rather a cleft, rift or rock shelter about 96 ft by 22 ft, a 30-foot-deep fissure caused by a piece of rock that splits away from the main body. On one side of the cleft is a rock that weighs several tons, covering the cleft to form the cave's "roof."