Mustang Archeology

Mustang Archeology Mustang Archeology These caves contained gray and black colored ceramic pottery, metal plates and human bones. Dr.Huttel,H.G.

In 1979, while installing a hydropower generator in Chokopani, Mustang District, northwestern Nepal, three caves accidentally discovered by Nepali engineer. Archaeologists hypothesize that these caves were cemeteries, because the corpses were ornamented with shell pendants, copper earrings, copper amulets, beads and musk deer teeth (Tiwari 1985). Chokopani archives at the Lumbini Museum

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ng Cave :
"A shepherd's tip-off has led to the discovery of 800-year-old Buddhist murals in a cave complex hidden behind a wall of snow." "The herder told a team of archaeologists, mountaineers and art experts from Nepal, America and Italy that he had seen a cave covered in old paintings when he sheltered from rain several years ago. The explorers spent three weeks roaming the mountainous region of Mustang, a semi-autonomous kingdom on the Tibetan border that restricts the number of foreign visitors to preserve its distinct culture. They found the murals in March on a cliffside above Lo Manthang, the medieval walled capital of Mustang, after using ropes to climb up to the cave and ice axes to hack through the snow blocking its entrance. The paintings, which depict Buddha's life, consist of one mural about 25 ft (7.5m) wide and 55 panels measuring about 14 in x 17 in. They are believed to date back to the 12th century and are among the most exciting discoveries of Buddhist art in recent years. The team also found manuscripts executed in ink, silver and gold and shards of pre-Christian pottery in the caves, which may have been used as burial chambers. The explorers say that they plan to excavate, collect and catalogue the manuscripts, which will be photographed and translated to try to ascertain their origins. Since 1991, the Nepal-German Project in High Mountain Archaeology excavated the southern portions of the Chokopani caves and tested bones by radiocarbon dating. Dr. Angela Simons reported that the results of the carbon dating revealed people have lived in these caves since at least 800 B.C. The team also excavated several caves which exist between the villages of Kagbeni and Dzong in the Mukthinath Valley of southern Mustang. They found many ancient artifacts in these caves as well. Later, the Nepal-German High Mountain Archaeology team headed by Dr. Huttel also excavated a mound near Khyinga Village in Mukthinath valley. concluded that this ruin was inhabited in the second century A.D. (Huttel 1993)
As is evidenced by these discoveries, Mustang District is home to a huge number of caves complex. Most of the caves are isolated and located in high cliffs. Most are also inaccessible without the use of ropes and ladders. Other caves are located in or near the villages of Tshug, Tsele, Tangye, Drakmar, Marang, and Luri, as well as beside Kali Gandaki river basin. In Tsho Shyar, north of Lo Manthang in northern Mustang District, one complex cave systems still exists with original dwellings and grain storage areas still intact. These caves are interlinked by tunnels, and, when inside, these caves feel like an intricate ant's nest. One cluster of 60 rooms remains in this settlement, and is an ideal location for further archaeological investigation. Other caves in this settlement are isolated and have been destroyed or rendered inaccessible due to erosion over the centuries. This erosion destroyed the front part of the cave and tunnels. Today, only the deeper part of the cave walls remain. Due to time and funding constraints, the Nepal-German Project on High Mountain Archaeology team was unable to excavate any of the caves in upper Mustang. As such, we have not been able to discern whether or not the caves of Chokopani and the cave complexes in upper Mustang were constructed and inhabited during the same period. Further archaeological analysis and comparisons are required in order to better understand the relationship between the sites in Mustang, as well as between these sites and archaeological ruins in Tibet.

CNN travel listed Mustang among the 23 places to visit in the year 2023. Mustang, known as the lost Tibetan kingdom, is ...
17/05/2023

CNN travel listed Mustang among the 23 places to visit in the year 2023. Mustang, known as the lost Tibetan kingdom, is the most intact Tibetan world and one of the ancient Himalayan civilizations that was closed for foreigners until the 1990es. The 10,000 man made sky caves perched precariously on cliffs were found with relics, sculptures and murals dating back to 2000 years. The occult monasteries and cave temples were older than those in Tibet. Most amazing are the rammed earth houses and palaces with their 15th century fortified capital of Lomanthang. With extension of road, airstrips and availability of luxury hotels, Mustang is now the most remote destination luxury travellers can visit. The route passing through the pastures and typical villages especially along the high ground on the eastern bank of Kali Gandaki River is still one of the best 'beaten path trek'.

What makes Upper Mustang to be featured in a book '1000 places to visit before you die' ?Upper Mustang is the last vesti...
21/07/2022

What makes Upper Mustang to be featured in a book '1000 places to visit before you die' ?
Upper Mustang is the last vestiges of medieval Tibet. The mysterious sky caves in the region numbering about 10,000 are still unexcavated. Monasteries dating back to the 8th century still exhibit and practice the oldest Tibetan Buddhist rituals. The southernmost kingdom of medieval Tibet remained unchanged as it is politically in Nepal. Culturally and geographically it is Tibet. Check an article to know seven features of Upper Mustang that make it the must to visit place.

Highlights of Mustang tour you should know before going there. Must to visit places and things to experience in Mustang for which it is featured in '1000 places to visit before you die.

The mud city of Lomanthang in the trans-Himalayan region is the last vestiges of medieval Tibet. Inside the 6 m high ram...
17/05/2022

The mud city of Lomanthang in the trans-Himalayan region is the last vestiges of medieval Tibet. Inside the 6 m high rammed earthen walled city, lies some 180 mud houses compactly fitted together with three monasteries. The 4 story palace was constructed along with the fortification wall in the 15th century. Lo Manthang was the capital of the southernmost kingdom for medieval Tibet known as the land of aspiration. Politically in Nepal, the land peacefully practiced Tibetan Buddhism until the date.

The walled city of Lomanthang is the last vestiges of medieval Tibet. Hidden in the citadel of Himalayan peaks, Upper Mustang is now politically in Nepal but...

06/04/2022

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