The Neolithic Site of Burzahom, located in the Indian district of Srinagar, highlights the shifts in human settlement patterns from the Neolithic to the Megalithic and early Historic periods. Burzahom is a unique, comprehensive storyteller of life between 3000 and 1000 BCE. It tells the story of everything from changes in architecture to the introduction and spread of lentil in northwest India.
The ruins at the location show how early societies’ habitation patterns gradually changed. The evidence at the site indicates the emergence of mud-structures from subterranean dwelling pits, upon which mud-brick constructions on level ground were built. The variety of tools found at the site demonstrates how Neolithic men’s skill as hunters and their understanding of how to use the tools for cultivation developed over time.
The Neolithic men (Aceramic Neolithic/Period I) who lived in underground pits were carved out of the natural soil using long stone tools, and their cut marks are still visible today. The pits had an oval or circular shape, were wide at the base and narrow at the top, and had post holes on the ground that appeared to be made of wood, indicating that birch was used as a cover to protect them from the elements. Some pits were shallower, measuring only 91 centimetres deep (compared to 3.95 meters), and they may have been storage pits or places to live during the warmer months.
Additionally, stone hearths have been discovered at ground levels, close to pit mouths, indicating that habitation activities also took place at the ground level. Quarter-round underground homes with a birch layer covering them, a central stone or clay hearth, and a storage pit are dated to the same period.
From the pits, several pottery fragments in the colors of steel grey, dull red, brown, or buff have been found. Even though these forms of pottery are rough in appearance, they are still produced in Kashmir today.
The Neolithic settlers in this time used stone axes, chisels, adzes, pounders, mace heads, points, and picks in addition to pottery, bones, and stone tools like harpoons, needles with or without eyes, awls used probably for stitching skins, spear points, arrowheads, and daggers for hunting game, scrapers for treating skins, and so on. Antlers were employed in the manufacture of tools in addition to stone. This layer is distinguished by the lack of any form of cultivation and burial system.
The following phase (Ceramic Neolithic/Period II) is characterized by structures made of mud or mud bricks with regular floors made of rammed karewa soil. These structures frequently reused previously existing pits by filling them in with mud and finishing them with a layer of mud that was thinly coated in red ochre and had timbre that demonstrated the evolution of construction techniques. Along with a few copper arrowheads, this layer also produced some black-ware pottery, a funnel-shaped vase, a wheel-made red-ware pot that held 950 beads, beads made of areore, agate, and carnelian, and painted pots—the latter of which may have been proof of a trade.
A red-ware pot with a painted image of a horned figure on it is one of the layer’s unusual discoveries. The finish of the stone and bone wares from this era has clearly developed. The rectangular harvesters with a curved cutting edge and two or more holes on either side, the stone picks with two edges, the long needles with or without an eye, and the unusual borer on a long hollow bone similar to a cobbler’s poker are among the tools that were found.
An example of Neolithic men creating art can be seen at the location of an engraved stone that shows a hunting scene with a human, a dog, and the sun path diagram.
The earliest remnants of pit burials are thought to have been produced during Period II. The bodies were deposited in oval pits covered in red ochre, which were excavated from the floor of the house and coated with lime plaster. Additionally, some skeletons have been found squatting, occasionally with animal skeletal remains nearby, and frequently without any grave decorations. Furthermore, it has been observed that seven complete and four incomplete trepanned examples of human skulls exist. One of the more intriguing burials that has been discovered contains five wild dogs and antler horns.
The Megalithic culture, which is associated with the construction of large stones or menhirs—most likely as commemorative establishments—follows the Neolithic period. The material culture that was retrieved includes a few tools made of stone and bone, metal objects, and grittier red ware pottery that was created on a potters wheel. There have also been discovered megalithic man-related rubble structures. The final stage of activity at Burzahom is dated to the third or fourth century A.D. Based on the discovery of mudbrick buildings, wheel-made ceramics, and a few metal artifacts, this period is considered early historical.Through the use of palaeo-botanic analysis’s tools and findings, agriculture has been established. Evidence of the cultivation of wheat, barley, and lentils was found in Periods I and II. The discovery of lentil in the Neolithic Burzahom region provides additional evidence of the Burzahom people’s extensive interactions with Central Asia and provides crucial proof of human migration through the Kashmir valley’s mountain passes.
The rationale behind the Outstanding Universal Value
The Neolithic Site of Burzahom, located in the Indian district of Srinagar, highlights the shifts in human settlement patterns from the Neolithic to the Megalithic and early Historic periods. Burzahom is a unique, comprehensive storyteller of life between 3000 and 1000 BCE. It tells the story of everything from changes in architecture to the introduction and spread of lentil in northwest India.
The Neolithic site at Burzahom offers a thorough understanding of the material tools used by the Neolithic people, even before they developed the process for making pottery. The findings of the excavations have revealed the dynamics of intellectual exchange between Central Asia and South West Asia during the third millennium B.C. via the valley of Kashmir, which served as a bridge between the Gangetic plains and peninsular India on the one hand, and the higher Himalayas and beyond on the other. The art, architecture, customs, and rituals, as well as possibly the language, as evidenced by some graffiti marks on pottery and other materials, all show the interaction of local and foreign influences.
The main features of the Burzahom Neolithic appear to have developed naturally in Kashmir and provide remarkable evidence of a cultural practice that is now mostly lost. The nominated property, with its full array of cultural artifacts, has the potential to be excavated in the future and explored in other ways. These research avenues are bound to yield new insights into the early phases of culture and civilization in this region of the world.
Approximately when the fourth millennium BCE began, the Neolithic Burzahom in Kashmir seems to be one of the main hubs for prehistoric human activity.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs):-
1. Time Machine to Kashmir: How old is Burzahom?
A. Burzahom takes you back in time, with evidence of human settlements dating back a whopping 7,000 years! Imagine, witnessing life from the Neolithic period (New Stone Age)!
2. From Caves to Houses: What kind of dwellings did people have?
A. Early residents at Burzahom lived in rock-cut caves and pit dwellings, gradually transitioning to mudbrick houses. This shift tells a fascinating story of evolving cultural practices.
3. Tools of the Trade: What did people use in their daily lives?
A. Excavations at Burzahom unearthed stone tools, bone implements, and even pottery fragments, offering glimpses into their hunting, food gathering, and early farming practices.
4. Beyond Survival: Did they have time for art and rituals?
A. Burzahom wasn’t just about basic needs! Evidence suggests artistic expression through beads, bone ornaments, and even possible ritualistic structures, hinting at a complex social life.
5. Trading Tales: Were they connected to the outside world?
A. Findings like semi-precious stones and marine shells indicate trade networks with distant regions, showcasing the interconnectedness of ancient societies.
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/burzahom-the-story-behind-srinagars-stonehenge-kashmir/
6. Nature’s Bounty: What was the environment like?
Burzahom’s surroundings were vastly different back then! Lush forests and abundant freshwater sources sustained the early inhabitants, shaping their way of life.
7. Unearthing Mysteries: How was Burzahom discovered?
A. The site’s accidental discovery in 1935 by a local farmer led to extensive excavations, gradually revealing the fascinating story of Kashmir’s prehistoric past.
8. Preserving the Past: Can we visit Burzahom?
A. Absolutely! Burzahom is an archaeological site open to the public, where you can explore the excavated remains, museum exhibits, and learn about the lives of these early Kashmiris.
9. Beyond Burzahom: What other secrets does Kashmir hold?
A. Burzahom is just one piece of the puzzle! Kashmir boasts a rich tapestry of archaeological sites, each waiting to tell its own story about the region’s ancient past.
10. Time Travel Tips: How can I learn more about Burzahom?
A. Dive deeper into Burzahom’s captivating history through books, research articles, documentaries, and even interactive online resources. Let the spirit of discovery guide you!
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