ASI discovers 8500 BC camping site near Ladakh

Researchers at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavating near Saser La, 14,000 feet above sea level, en route to the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh have discovered the remains of an ancient camping site dating back to ninth millennium BC (8500 BC).

While exploring in Nubra valley during 2015-16, SB Ota, joint director general of the ASI, observed both sides of the hill and valley as the serpentine road, gradually climbed along the Saser Stream. After covering a distance of about 22 km, he noticed a section, exposed due to road construction, showing successive layers comprising burning residue and immediately stopped to explore the area. It was a small flat area with snow-covered peaks on one extreme, dry barren land with loose rocks all around and gushing stream within the deep western gorges, forming an ideal place for camping in a picturesque setting.

A charcoal sample collected from the site was subsequently sent to Beta Lab, Florida, USA, for radiocarbon date determination, in order to understand the antiquity of the camp-site. The Beta Lab report traced the age of the sample to 8500 BC (ie, 10500 years before present) - an antiquity unknown to the region, and scientifically validated.

A top team of ASI officials, including Ota and other experts, inspected the site in July this year in order to assess the probabilities of further archaeological research. During this visit, more charcoal samples and associated bones were collected. Two of the charcoal samples from lower and upper deposits sent for dating have provided new radiocarbon dates of 8500 BC and 7300 BC (ie, 10500 and 9300 years before present) respectively.

These dates besides confirming the earlier finding, also indicated continued human activity at the camping site for about eight hundred years.

Preliminary studies of charred bones collected from there, carried out by PP Joglekar of Deccan Collage, Pune, have shown the presence of gorel and yak.

Research so far carried out has proved the antiquity and nature of human activities to an extent, but their camping patterns, extent of camping area, tools and other cultural aspects are yet to be traced.

To address these issues, further archaeological excavations and explorations are being planned by the ASI. However, it will not be an easy task to undertake these works in such a rugged terrain at an altitude around 14000 feet, with low oxygen and no habitation.

However, these are the added attractions for those who work with passion.