Gufkral Cave — Kashmir Pre-Neolithic and Neolithic
Neolithic (3000–1500 BCE)·Kashmir Neolithic (Gufkral)·🇮🇳 Jammu and Kashmir, India
About
About Gufkral Cave — Kashmir Pre-Neolithic and Neolithic
Gufkral Cave — Kashmir Pre-Neolithic and Neolithic in Jammu and Kashmir, India is a Neolithic (3000–1500 BCE) cave attributed to Kashmir Neolithic (Gufkral). Limestone cave and open settlement 5 m stratified deposit with Aceramic Neolithic pits. Sharma Gufkral 5 m deposit with Aceramic Neolithic (3000 BCE) to Late Neolithic with polished tools.
Why it mattersKey Harappan or megalithic pastoral site defining Deccan trajectory
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chalcolithic–Harappan chronology
- 02Ash mound pastoralism model
Theories
- 01Water management
- 02Pastoral cattle cult
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic (3000–1500 BCE)
- Culture
- Kashmir Neolithic (Gufkral)
- Purpose
- Limestone cave and open settlement 5 m stratified deposit with Aceramic Neolithic pits
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Archaeological survey
On the ground
Structures & features
33.9200° N · 75.1000° E · 1700 m · 3 mapped features
Gufkral Cave — Kashmir Pre-Neolithic and Neolithic — Cave Mouth
entranceEntrance area
33.9201° N · 75.1001° EGufkral Cave — Kashmir Pre-Neolithic and Neolithic — Inner Chamber
chamberInner cave chamber with pits
33.9198° N · 75.1002° EGufkral Cave — Kashmir Pre-Neolithic and Neolithic — Talus Settlement
talusOutside scree settlement
33.9205° N · 75.0998° E