DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36956#0137
two phratries - came from outside. The Khuko and the Man'ka may
really have started from Pakhli, where the indigenous population was
suppressed by Turkish settlers, perhaps Qarluqs, who, under the Shahs
of Khwarizm, entered the area in the 12th century A.D. Moving from
one high meadow to the next they entered the eastern part of Indus-
Kohistan.
Now I have to concede that the development leading to the actual situ-
ation is more complicated. On the territory of Kuh and Ghizer a sort of
eastern Kaflristan was established with fortifications partly constructed
under the influence of foreign dynasties. Only systematic archaeological
excavations will throw light on this obscure period.
The continuity of rock-art in neighbouring areas
I could pay only a few, brief visits to the areas north of the Gilgit River,
at a time when my attention was mainly directed to the many discoveries
in the surroundings of Chilas. In spite of such explorations, the site at
Hunza-Haldeikish, discovered already in 1979, remained unique with an
exuberance of Kharosthi-inscriptions, certainly indicating an important
stage on the track connecting the lowlands of Gandhara with the
southern route of the Silk Roads leading through the Tarim Basin.
A different situation I observed only in Yasin. Here the most impressive
archaeological monuments are circles, consisting of large boulders,
partly connected by others in a horizontal position (Biddulph 1880:57-
58). Attempts were made to excavate the centre of such constructions,
but the anticipated burial site was not found. In the soil there were re-
mains of animal bones, possibly indicating that cattle had been slaugh-
tered nearby. I assumed that such monuments were erected to commem-
orate feasts, perhaps feasts of merit. The population practising such cus-
toms may have arrived from the north via the Darkot Pass. However, as
similar megalithic constructions are rare in the Pamirs, my speculations
remain highly tentative.
121
really have started from Pakhli, where the indigenous population was
suppressed by Turkish settlers, perhaps Qarluqs, who, under the Shahs
of Khwarizm, entered the area in the 12th century A.D. Moving from
one high meadow to the next they entered the eastern part of Indus-
Kohistan.
Now I have to concede that the development leading to the actual situ-
ation is more complicated. On the territory of Kuh and Ghizer a sort of
eastern Kaflristan was established with fortifications partly constructed
under the influence of foreign dynasties. Only systematic archaeological
excavations will throw light on this obscure period.
The continuity of rock-art in neighbouring areas
I could pay only a few, brief visits to the areas north of the Gilgit River,
at a time when my attention was mainly directed to the many discoveries
in the surroundings of Chilas. In spite of such explorations, the site at
Hunza-Haldeikish, discovered already in 1979, remained unique with an
exuberance of Kharosthi-inscriptions, certainly indicating an important
stage on the track connecting the lowlands of Gandhara with the
southern route of the Silk Roads leading through the Tarim Basin.
A different situation I observed only in Yasin. Here the most impressive
archaeological monuments are circles, consisting of large boulders,
partly connected by others in a horizontal position (Biddulph 1880:57-
58). Attempts were made to excavate the centre of such constructions,
but the anticipated burial site was not found. In the soil there were re-
mains of animal bones, possibly indicating that cattle had been slaugh-
tered nearby. I assumed that such monuments were erected to commem-
orate feasts, perhaps feasts of merit. The population practising such cus-
toms may have arrived from the north via the Darkot Pass. However, as
similar megalithic constructions are rare in the Pamirs, my speculations
remain highly tentative.
121