Burzahom
BURZAHOM
India’s Neolithic Stonehenge
The Neolithic site of Burzahom in the Srinagar district (Kashmir Valley) is located on a Pleistocene lakebed at an elevation of 1800 m above sea level. This site clearly shows the transient stages of human habitation from the Neolithic to the Megalithic to the Early Historic periods. Burzahom is a testament to the development of agriculture, architecture, ritual practices, and technology from 3000 BCE to 1000 BCE.
Burzahom Archaeological Site
Although excavations at Burzahom began in the 1930s, ultimately, it was the extensive excavations undertaken by T N Khazanchi and his associates, on behalf of the Archaeological Survey of India, from 1960 to 1971, that revealed a fourfold sequence of cultures, where Periods I and II are Neolithic; Period III, Megalithic; and Period IV, the early Historical era.
Periods I and II of the Neolithic era mark the beginnings of residential architecture, exemplified by pit dwellings. Oval or circular pits, narrow at the top, broad at the base, with (wooden) post holes at the (ground level) to support superstructures, have been found during excavations. At ground level, there is also evidence of stone hearths, indicating the activities that took place there. These pit dwellings were filled and transformed into surface-level structures during the second phase, with traces of early agriculture and storage pits for harvested crops such as wheat, barley, and lentils. The second phase has also yielded copper arrowheads, indicating the development of metallurgy. A stone slab bearing engravings of elaborate hunting scenes attests to the presence of artwork.
Period II also gives the earliest evidence of pit burials, dug either within the residential complex or in the precincts. These oval-shaped pits were plastered with lime, and the bodies were placed in them with red ochre applied on the bones. Some burials also had evidence of animal skeletal remains. In some cases, trepanning of human skulls has been observed. They are perforations made in the cranium to relieve pressure after an injury or to treat intracranial diseases. One of the most interesting burials excavated was that of five wild dogs and an antler horn.
The Neolithic period was followed by the Megalithic phase, which shows the beginnings of monumental symbolism in the form of massive stones or menhirs. These were erected by manually transporting monolithic stone slabs and posting them throughout the habitation area. The Megalithic period is also known for its advanced craftsmanship. Hard redware pottery, copper objects, and bone and stone tools have been found in abundance at this level. Rubble structures associated with Megalithic peoples were found, indicating the gradual development of architecture during this period.
Pottery Excavated at the Burzahom Neolithic Settlement
Pottery Unearthed
The last phase of activity at Burzahom relates to the early historical period (3rd-4th CE). Mud brick structures, pottery manufactured on a wheel, and a few metal objects have been found. Burzahom has a unique identity due to distinct behavioural patterns. Its detailed evolutionary sequence is a clear example of the transformation of Neolithic cultures into Megalithic cultures. The entire site is in its original form and remains set in a landscape reminiscent of the Neolithic era. The excavated levels have been preserved in situ and are protected and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and other regulatory authorities. Burzahom is also on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.