Explorers find ancient caves, paintings in Nepal
NEPAL: Explorers have discovered a series of caves decorated with
ancient Buddhist paintings, set in sheer cliffs in Nepal’s remote
Himalayan north, leaving archaeologists excited and puzzled.
An international team of scholars, archaeologists, climbers and
explorers examined at least 12 cave complexes at 14,000 feet near Lo
Manthang, a mediaeval walled city in Nepal’s Mustang district, about 125
km northwest of Kathmandu.
The caves contain paintings that could date back as far as the 13th
century, as well as Tibetan scripts executed in ink, silver and gold and
pre-Christian era pottery shards.
“Who lived in those caves? When were they there, when were (the
caves) first excavated and how did the residents access them, perched as
they are on vertical cliffs?” asked Broughton Coburn, an American member
of the survey team.
“It’s a compelling, marvelous mystery.”
Explorers from the United States, Italy and Nepal used ice axes and
ropes to climb to the caves, cutting steps in the cliff face as they
went.
“These findings underscore the richness of the Tibetan Buddhist
religious tradition of this area — stretching back nearly a millennium —
as well as the artistic beauty and wide geographical reach of Newari
artists,” said Coburn, an expert in Himalayan conservation and
development.
Newaris are ethnic Nepalis renowned for skills in wall paintings and
other forms of mostly Buddhist art.
The cave complexes are several hours walking distance apart. Some
chambers were thought to have been used for burials, and there were also
mounds archaeologists hope may hide further treasures.
There are about 20 openings in each complex, and their multiple
floors are connected by vertical passages with rudimentary handholds or
footholds, requiring some climbing skill to negotiate.
They contained stupas, decorative art and paintings depicting various
forms of the Buddha, often with disciples, supplicants and attendants.
The site of recent findings lies north of Mount Annapurna, the
world’s tenth highest mountain.
Kathmandu, Friday, Reuters |
