Evidence of early human habitation found in Kargil

Evidence of early human habitation found in Kargil
Final report to be submitted to ASI soon
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 12
Ladakh had human habitation more than 3,000 years ago, says a study jointly conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and an expert from Jammu University (JU).

“For the first time, the evidence of human habitation more than 3,000 years ago has been found in the upper Himalayan region, near Mulbekh, about 40 km from Kargil on the Leh-Srinagar highway,” said Prof RK Ganjoo, Director, Institute of Himalayan Glaciology from the Department of Geology, JU, who headed the team.

Ganjoo said, “In the first week of the month, we found hearths used by early human for lighting fire on the banks of the Wakka river in Kargil district of the Ladakh region.”

“These were mostly transit camps where the fire was lit to cook food and to escape from the harsh winter,” Ganjoo added.

It was a Central government project for finding traces of early humans in the Ladakh region after similar discoveries were made in Tibet around 10-12 years ago and the Karakorum area about 2-3 years ago.

“The survey of the Ladakh valley which started last year proved successful and the final report will be submitted at the end of the month to the ASI,” said Prof Ganjoo.

Ganjoo said a team of seven, including the regional director of the ASI office in Bhopal, SB Ota, excavated a number of places and were able to search the hearths built by cutting natural slopes of the mountains as old as 3,000 to 4,000 years.

Giving details about the hearths, Prof Ganjoo said, “Interestingly, flat blocks of sandstone were used by the early humans as floor around the fire place.”

Samples from the hearths and the surrounding areas have been collected by the team for further scientific studies to investigate the type of wood used for burning the fire and remains of food material consumed by the early man, he added.

“Our report will definitely give a new impetus to the geo-archaeological research,” Ganjoo said.

Besides Prof Ganjoo, the team included Ota, RK Dwivedi, Chandrakant Bhandarkar, SK Goswami, Tsering Phunchok and Sonam Spalzin Bangkolok, all from the ASI.

Courtesy: The Tribune