DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36954#0202
Islamabad. The highway approximately follows the famous
"Ji-bin" route ( ^ )ofthe ancient Silk Road.
Many inscriptions carved on rocks by the early travellers, together
with rock-carvings of different periods, became apparent along
the highway during its construction. Since 1979 the Pak-German
Study Group for Anthropological Research in the Northern
Areas, jointly organized by Prof. Ahmad Hasan DANI of Quaid-i-
Azam University, Islamabad, and Prof. Dr. Karl JETTMAR of
Heidelberg University, has made on-the-spot investigations of
these petroglyphs along the highway. They investigated and col-
lated a vast quantity of materials and relics which are of'great
value for studying the history not only of northern Pakistan,
but also of Central Asia as a whole and especially the interrela-
tions between China and Central, Western and Southern Asia in
ancient times. The languages used in these inscriptions are of
various kinds, among which Brahmi, Kharosthi and Sogdian are
used most frequently. Of particular interest for our present
purposes are the inscriptions written in Chinese and Tibetan.
In order to promote the study of these invaluable archaeological
remains by scholars of various countries, a major colloquium was
held in Gilgit in September 1983: The International Conference
on Karakorum Culture, chaired by Prof. DANI. During the meet-
ing all the participants (among whom the author was fortunate
to be included) made an investigative tour along the Karakorum
Highway, starting from Islamabad and reaching the Sino-Pakistan
boundary. In view of his nationality, the author paid special at-
tention to Chinese inscriptions. The main results of this study are
reported briefly in this paper with special reference to the most
important inscription which was carved by the envoy of the
dynasty called ''Da Wei" (7y or "Great Wei".
At present, 1985, no less than seven Chinese inscriptions have
been found along the Karakorum Highway, four of which I could
see myself.
One of these petroglyphs occurs on the southern bank of the
Indus, near Shatial village, where the Indus coming from the east
turns south. Since ancient times there has been an important
ferry-crossing nearby; now a relatively long suspension bridge of
iron cables crosses the river. On the southern bank rocks and
boulders are spread out over a restricted area on which there have
140
"Ji-bin" route ( ^ )ofthe ancient Silk Road.
Many inscriptions carved on rocks by the early travellers, together
with rock-carvings of different periods, became apparent along
the highway during its construction. Since 1979 the Pak-German
Study Group for Anthropological Research in the Northern
Areas, jointly organized by Prof. Ahmad Hasan DANI of Quaid-i-
Azam University, Islamabad, and Prof. Dr. Karl JETTMAR of
Heidelberg University, has made on-the-spot investigations of
these petroglyphs along the highway. They investigated and col-
lated a vast quantity of materials and relics which are of'great
value for studying the history not only of northern Pakistan,
but also of Central Asia as a whole and especially the interrela-
tions between China and Central, Western and Southern Asia in
ancient times. The languages used in these inscriptions are of
various kinds, among which Brahmi, Kharosthi and Sogdian are
used most frequently. Of particular interest for our present
purposes are the inscriptions written in Chinese and Tibetan.
In order to promote the study of these invaluable archaeological
remains by scholars of various countries, a major colloquium was
held in Gilgit in September 1983: The International Conference
on Karakorum Culture, chaired by Prof. DANI. During the meet-
ing all the participants (among whom the author was fortunate
to be included) made an investigative tour along the Karakorum
Highway, starting from Islamabad and reaching the Sino-Pakistan
boundary. In view of his nationality, the author paid special at-
tention to Chinese inscriptions. The main results of this study are
reported briefly in this paper with special reference to the most
important inscription which was carved by the envoy of the
dynasty called ''Da Wei" (7y or "Great Wei".
At present, 1985, no less than seven Chinese inscriptions have
been found along the Karakorum Highway, four of which I could
see myself.
One of these petroglyphs occurs on the southern bank of the
Indus, near Shatial village, where the Indus coming from the east
turns south. Since ancient times there has been an important
ferry-crossing nearby; now a relatively long suspension bridge of
iron cables crosses the river. On the southern bank rocks and
boulders are spread out over a restricted area on which there have
140