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Some early astronomical sites in the Kashmir region

Article  in  Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage · March 2009

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 Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, 11(3), 1xx-2xx (2008).

SOME EARLY ASTRONOMICAL SITES IN KASHMIR (INDIA)

Naseer Iqbal
Department of Physics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India 190006.
E-mail: naseerphysics@kashmiruniversity.net

M.N. Vahia
Tata Institute of fundamental Research, Mumbai, India400 005.

Tabasum Masood
Department of Physics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India 190006.
and
Aijaz Ahmad
Department of Physics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India 190006.

Abstract: We analyze a number of early rock art sites in the Kashmir Valley and suggest that some of these depict
astronomical objects or events. All of the sites are in the Srinagar and Sopore regions and date to Neolithic or
Upper Paleolithic times. Our studies suggestl that during this period some of the ancient astronomers recorded
supernovae meteorite impacts, the Sun, the Moon and the seasons in their rock art.
Key words: Ancient astronomy; stone carvings; supernovae; meteorite impacts

1 INTRODUCTION of Dras (Ladakh) and Chills (on the border of Ladakh

Archaeoastronomy is the study of ancient or tradi- in the Pakistan side) indicate that there was a tradition
tional astronomies in their cultural context, utilizing of recording astronomical events in prehistoric times.
archaeological and/or anthropological evidence. The In this paper, we discuss sites in three different areas of
subject uses historical records of heavenly events to Kasmir that appear to present evidence of this type.
infer the astronomical knowledge of our ancestors.
2 ANCIENT ASTRONOMICAL ROCK ART SITES
Archaeoastronomy also uses monuments and written
records to evaluate astronomical traditions. The im- On the basis of visiting various sites and studying their
portance of archaeoastronomy is that it allows us to astronomical aspects we believe that the following sites
understand something about prehistoric times and the were used by ancient peoples from time to time for
knowledge of astronomy that flourished. In other astronomical observations and are the oldest
words, archaeoastronomy can be used to identify pre- ‘observatories’ in Kashmir.
historic astronomical practices. There are a number of
ways of studying archaeoastronomy, including through 2.1 Bomai Sopore (Baramulla-Kashmir)
1) the architecture of ancient monuments (e.g. see In northern Kashmir there is a place called Bomai
Menon and Vahia, 2006); Sopore ~70km north-west of Srinagar. This region
2) simulations of ancient observatories and situations was occupied during the Upper Paleolithic period,
(e.g. see Hrishikesh et al., 2006); from ~ 20,000 to 6,000 BP. There is a conspicuous
3) Harappan script pattern recognition (e.g. see Nisha rock carving in this area situated at 74°30′ longitude
and Vahia, 2006); and and +34°22′ latitude, at the north-west end a 3000m
4) stone carvings (e.g. see Masood et al., 2006). high plateau with peaks to the south-east rising to
The Kashmir region of India is rich in stone carvings. ~3,500m. The rock surface has multiple concentric
Stone carvings often have abstract representations, and circles (Figures 2a and 2b), and is situated on the side
large numbers of poorly-understood stone car-vings of a mountain ~100m from the fields, and overlooking
create interesting questions about the history of the eastern side of the famous Wular Lake. We believe
civilization. These mysteries pose important quest- that this rock carving depicts a meteorite impact that
ions and lead to new answers about the people of the occurred some time between 40,000 BP and 6,000 BP
ancient world, including their culture, language, (Vahia et al., 2006). It has already been observed that
architecture, astronomy and religion. Ancient people when it impacts a meteorite can reform the surface on
viewed heavenly objects as unknowns and sometimes which it lands. Such fractures can take the form of
expressed their state of knowledge through their stone concentric rings around an impact crater. The impact
carvings. The first astronomical carvings were dis- of a massive meteorite or a small asteroid can also
covered in the area of Jiepmaluokta, about 4 km from induce volcanic activity if the area it strikes contains
the centre of the town of Alta. The most mysterious of hot lava that can rise up through the crust (Gibilisco,
the carvings were a set of geometric symbols, 2003). We believe that the astronomical interpretation
consisting of circular objects surrounded by fringes; of this stone carving is consistent with this
others showed intricate patterns of horizontal and interpretation because the carving has multiple
vertical lines (see Stemersen and Liback, 2003). concentric circles distributed across the entire picture
(see Figure 2a and 2b). Vahia et al. (2006) have
Various carvings found in Kashmir and in the areas already postulated that a single meteoroid may have
N. Iqbal, M.N. Vahia, T. Masood and A. Ahmad Some Early Astronomical Sites in
Kashmir
splintered into several pieces as it penetrated the the other animal on the right may be Andromeda and
atmosphere and that if any of the larger bigger Pegasus.
fragments landed they would have formed craters, pits On the basis of radiocarbon-dating, Agrawal and
or lakes. Kusumgar (1965) and Pande (1971) show that this site
There are four lakes in this region—corresponding was utilized between 3,000 BC and 1,500 BC. A
to the four circles in the drawing—and several smaller search of the literature revealed that there were only
water bodies, all consistent with a multiple impacts two possible supernovae during this period: HB9,
event. Also, the orientation of the rocks indicates that which exploded in 5,700 BC and G182.4+4.3 which
the meteoroid entered the region from the north-west dates to around 1,800 BC. While the archaeological
and fell in a south-easterly direction. The three circles dating of the settlements at Burzaham does support
in Figure 2a are collinear and three of the lakes are G182.4+4.3, which reached an apparent magnitude of
also aligned in the same direction. In this scenario, –7.21 at maximum, we believe that the object in the
Wular Lake (the largest in Asia) can be associated with rock painting is more likely to be HB9. Shining at –
the top-most circle; the second circle relates to 9.6 apparent magnitude this would have been a very
Manasbal Lake; third circle to Dal Lake; and the fourth conspicuous object at maximum light (Damshek et al.,
circle to Anchar Lake. The small circle between the 1978; Laehy and Aschenbach, 1995; Xu et al., 2005).
two main circles corresponds to the small water bodies If the position of HB9 is indicated by the concentric
which exist between these lakes. We believe that the circles in the upper left part of Figure 3b, the Moon’s
line emanating from the circles is an indication of the position is marked by a larger concentric circles to the
movement of the object, or a light streak, and the size right, and the long curved line in the carving—
of the circle is indicative of the brightness of the traditionally interpreted as spear—is actually be an arc
object. All this seems consistent with a meteorite of bright stars, then this tallies with the figure on the
impact. In order to examine this hypothesis, we left being Orion. To check on this, the relative
examined the relevant geological literature and also distances of various stars in the rock engraving were
carried out our own research around Dal Lake, and compared with the actual angular separations of the
found the following evidence that, in our view, stars in the sky, and there was a reasonable fit
indicates a meteorite impact: (Joglekar et al., 2006). On the basis of the
1. The original basin-like structure of Dal Lake, which accumulated evidence we believe that the rock
since it formation has been deformed through engraving depicts a major astronomical event which
erosion. took place more than 5,000 years ago.
2. On coulomb excitations of different samples taken In a recent study of this site we noted a number of
from Dal Lake we were able to find high additional points of interest:
concentration of 25 different elements, including 1. Two of the stones are still in situ but are leaning (see
platinum (34%), iron (91.7%), europium (52.2%) Figure 4a) while the rest have fallen, but all can be
and many others typically associated with meteorite categorised as ‘megaliths’.
impacts. 2. When all of the fallen and standing stones at this are
3. Wadia (1953) reports evidence of shock considered together, they form a rough circle which
metamorphism in the vicinity of Dal Lake. may also have astronomical connotations.
4. Jeelani and Shah (2006) report the presence of 3. There seems to be more to these monuments than
basalts and breccias in the vicinity of Dal Lake. local people attribute to them now. Of particular
5. The pH value of the water at a depth of 2m in the interest is a mound located due east of the stones.
Lake, and from the surrounding mountains 4. Some of the stones seem to have been erected on
averages >9.7. artificially-constructed mounds, judging by the
placement of rocks as a sort of retaining structure
2.2 Burzuhama (Srinagar-Kashmir)
exposed in one of the excavations.
The site of Burzaham is located in the Kashmir Valley 5. ‘Cup marks’, which are known to have astronomical
at 74°54′ longitude and +34°10′ latitude and 17km connotations elsewhere (e.g. see Ruggles, 1999),
north-east of Srinagar. To its east is glaciated peak of were observed on two of the fallen stones.
Mahadev Mountain, while the glittering waters of Dal 6. A view of the eastern horizon is blocked to a large
Lake lies to the south; there are also mountain ranges extent by mountains, but the western horizon is
to then west. Among dozens of flat rectangular stones largely unobstructed.
found at Burzaham are two bearing engravings. One
of these has a base width of 70cm and contains a really 2.3 Chillas and Dras [Drass?] (Ladakh)
impressive example of Neolithic art. The engraved Chillas is a small town located near the Dras [Drass?]
portion is divided into two parts. The upper part belt of Ladakh region (India) but is under the
shows an animal on the right and on the left depictions occupation of Pakistan. It is located at 74° longitude
of two Suns, one with sixteen radiating lines while the and +35° latitude, on the upper reaches of the Indus
other is slightly damaged. From Figure 3a it would River, under the shadow of the world-famous Nanga
seem that picture depicts a hunting scene, but Joglekar Parvat (Dhani, 1983). Archaeological surveys have
et al. (2006) postulate that this is not a terrestrial revealed the existence of ~20,000 [50?] rock art sites
hunting scene but actually represents a sky map and the and petroglyphs along the Karakorum Highway in
locations of prominent constellations and the Moon on north-ern areas of Pakistan, left by various invaders,
the night when a supernova was observed (see Figure traders and pilgrims who passed along this popular
3b). In this scenario, one of the hunters in the figure is trade route. The earliest sites date between 5,000 and
Orion; the central animal is Taurus; the hunter on the 1,000 BC, and include pictures of animals as well as
right may have been formed from stars in Cetus; and
N. Iqbal, M.N. Vahia, T. Masood and A. Ahmad Some Early Astronomical Sites in
Kashmir
circular motifs. These latter carvings were pecked into
the rock with stone tools, and some may have astro- 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
nomical significance. Figures 5a and 5b show two The authors are grateful to the Jemsethji Tata Trust
different kinds of circular motifs, and as an initial Mumbai for funding the TIFR archaeoastronomy
interpretation we propose that they may represent the project. Two of us (N.I. and A.A.) are grateful to the
changing of the seasons, the calendar and radiating IUCAA (Pune) for their support and for facilities to
objects. Although it is too early to give the name of carry out this research.
the event but such kinds of predictions become
ultimately the future challenging problems. These 5 REFERENCES
interesting rock engravings clearly warrant further
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Current Science, 34, 42-43
3 CONCLUDING REMARKS Damashek, M, Taylor, J.H., and Hulse, R.A., 1978, Title of
paper? Astrophysical Journal, 225, L31-33.
The overall investigations in this paper are summarized Gibilisco, X.X., 2003. Provide reference.
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astronomical bodies has been of worldwide interest [2006? But still not published now, in 2008?!]. Oldest sky
since prehistoric times, irrespective of the culture chart with supernova record. Puratatva (Journal of Indian
Archaeological Society), in press.
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celestial observations during the Paleolithic/Upper characteristics of water and sediments from the Dal Lake,
Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. In this paper we Kashmir Himalayas: Constraints on Weathering and
discussed the north-western part of Kashmir—an Anthropogenic Activity. 10 January 2006. [Is this a
extreme region of the country—and drew the distinct conference paper? If so, where was the conference held?]
impression that the ancient inhabitants definitely Leahy, D.A., and Aschenbach, B., 1995. Title of paper?.
observed different celestial events, despite the fact that Astronomy & Astrophysics, 293, 853-8xx.
they were merely hunters and gatherers and could only Menon, S., 2007. Cosmic Connection to Ancient Megalithic
use stone tools to record their observations. Two of Architecture. Ph.D. synopsis, Architecture Department,
Manipal University.
the sites we discuss, Sopore and Burzuhama, have Nisha, Y., and Vahia, M.N., 2006 [2006? But still not
already attracted international attention because of published now, in 2008?!]. Ancient Asia. Society for South
their archaeoastronomical features, but some of the Asian Archaeology Journal, in press.
sites near Chillas also need to be carefully investigated Masood, T., 2007. Analysis of pre-historic astronomical
from an archaeoastronomical point of view. records and their dating. Ph.D. synopsis, Department of
Collectively, these Kashmir sites appear to depict Physics, University of Kashmir.
meteorite impacts, a supernova, various constellations, Pande, B.M., 1971. Title of paper? Asian Perspectives, 14,
and possibly the changing of the seasons. This north- 134-138.
western sector of Kashmir offers a route that was Vahia, M.N., Banday, A., Yatoo, M., Iqbal, N., and Masood
T., 2006 [2006? But still not published now, in 2008?!].
popular with ancestral travellers, and some of them Astronomical interpretation of a Paleolithic rock carving
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these in their rock art. Water would have been Indian Archaeological Society), in press.
essential for the survival of these early ‘astronomers’, Wadia, D.N., 1953. Geology of India, Carboniferous and
and when the various sites were studied in detail we Permian Systems. Third edition. Place of publication?,
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lakes, rivers or other bodies of water. Those sites that Xu, J.-W., Zhang, X.-Z., and Han, J.-L., 2005. Title of
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N. Iqbal, M.N. Vahia, T. Masood and A. Ahmad Some Early Astronomical Sites in
Kashmir
Figure 1: Map of Jammu and Kashmir (India), showing the locations of different sites mentioned in the text.

Figure 2a: Stone carving located at Bomai Sopore in the Baramulla District of Kashmir.

Figure 2b: Drawing showing the concentric circles of different sizes in Figure 2(a).
N. Iqbal, M.N. Vahia, T. Masood and A. Ahmad Some Early Astronomical Sites in
Kashmir

Figure 3a: Rock carving found at Burzuhama Kashm.

Figure 3b: Sky map of the region of HB9 in the sky chart for 5,700 BC. To facilitate easy comparison with the
drawing, rough patterns are drawn in the map. The constellation names as per current identification are given. The
big spot in the centre is the full moon in the month of August in roughly 5,700 BC, and the smaller spot on the right
of Capella is the position of HB9.
N. Iqbal, M.N. Vahia, T. Masood and A. Ahmad Some Early Astronomical Sites in
Kashmir

Figure 4a: Panoramic view of the Burzuhama from the north-west.

Figure 4b: Some alignment possibilities overlaid on a satellite picture of Burzuhama.

Figure 5(a): A horse rider pulling a circle showing four seasons.

Figure 5b: Solar symbol that has in it 12 triangles possibly showing 12 months.
 N. Iqbal, M.N. Vahia, T. Masood and A. Ahmad Some Early Astronomical Sites in
Kashmir

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