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The Pre-Historic Era - Burzahom Revelations

The Neolithic Site of Burzahom, in the district of Srinagar brings to light transitions in human habitation patterns from Neolithic Period to Megalithic period to the early historic period. From transition in architecture to development in tool-making techniques to introduction and diffusion of lentil in North-Western India, makes Burzahom an important site to learn about the change in pattern of habitation in the valley. The remains of the site document the gradual evolution of the nature of dwelling spaces among early societies. From subterranean dwelling pits, the evidence in the site show the emergence of mud-structures, thereon mud-bricks constructions on level ground. The range of tools recovered from the site shows the evolution in tool making, Neolithic men as skilled hunters and their knowledge in applying the implements for cultivation and their comprehensive use of hunting aids to include varied tools and animals like hunting dogs.

Burzahom Excavation Site

Man has evolved over time. For him to identify his evolution and lineage has been an important part of learning. While tracing back the history of Kashmir Valley the Yale-Cambridge expeditions in the mid-thirties brought a site located in Srinagar under limelight. Major excavations were carried out in this region called Burzahom. Interestingly Upinder Singh in his book A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century confirmed the discovery by H. de Terra, a teacher and researcher from Yale University and Paterson, representing the University of Cambridge in 1935 who misunderstood it for Harappan civilization. Burzahom is one of the important excavated sites in Kashmir to assimilate the evolution of periods. Located on a terrace of karewa clay just above Jhelum River, Burzahom in Kashmiri means ‘place of birch’, and discovery of burnt birch tree in the excavations indicated the presence of birch trees in this region during the Neolithic period.

Neolithic Stone Weapons

Excavations at this site brought out four periods of occupation, with first two being Neolithic, the third megalithic, and the fourth early historical period. The excavations from this site suggested the presence of Extra-Indian affiliations of the site as the type of pits, pottery and tools found in this region and in other excavations in Kashmir valley were singularly different from the Indian Neolithic, hence this was designated as the North-Western Neolithic Culture. A number of old tools, pottery and pits were found at this site, and the findings further brought out that these were the winter homes of Neolithic people. The steps, ash, charcoal, and potsherds confirmed these findings. However R.A.E Conninngham and T.L. Sutherland came up with a fresh argument suggesting that if these pits were occupied during winter and with fire being lit in these confined spaces it would make the atmosphere inside intolerably thick with smoke. Hence it indicated the use of fire to increase the life of these pits, and drying the mud plaster faster. Indicating that these might have not being occupied all year round, rather only during spring and summers and abandoned during winters. When winters set in, people may have migrated to the less severely cold areas of the plains, leaving the sealed grain to be used for sowing next Spring.

Neolithic Stone Drawing

Moreover the tools differed from period to period hence it is important to know about the peculiar features of these tools used during each period to learn more about the evolution. Findings from Period I included ill fired, handmade, coarse pottery in grey, red, brown and buff colours, which included simple rimless bowls and bottle shaped flared rims. These pots had mat impressions on their bottom as they were made by the potter sitting on a mat which indicated the early stage of handcrafting and coarse pottery. Tools included axes, chisels, grinding stones and most importantly harvesters, which again brought out the settled lifestyle of inhabitants. Surprisingly no burials were found in Period I, which suggested that people would have adopted some other method for disposal of the dead.

During Period II, pits filled of Karewa soil were found with their surface plastered with mud and covered with thin layer of red ochre, which were used as floors of huts made out of mud. This indicated that people of Burzahom moved out of pits and built houses on ground level. In this period, several burials were found that too mostly under the remains of houses. Both inhumation and burial were practiced in this period and an interesting feature in this period was the burial of humans along with wild animals such as deer, wolf, and domesticated animals such as cattle. The interment of dogs with humans suggested the burial of pets along with their masters. The pottery and stone tools used in this period were numerous and more refined with better finish. It is clear from the animal bones and engraved hunting scenes that hunting and fishing were an important part of the life. Analysis of botanical remains from the Neolithic period provide the direct evidence of cultivated wheat, barley and lentils.

Burzahom Excavations Site

One of the most interesting excavation during this period was of a stone slab with engravings of a hunting scene in which two human figures can be seen attacking a stag, one of them attacking from the front with a bow and arrow and other one from behind with a long spear which has almost pierced through the body of the animal. They are accompanied by a domesticated dog.

The Neolithic period was followed by Megalithic culture associated with the erection of massive stones or menhirs, probably as commemorative establishments which denotes the efforts made by the people to mark the important events of the community. The material culture recovered consists of a gritty red ware pottery, manufactured in potters wheel, metal objects and few tools made of bone and stone. The last level of activity at Burzahom is ascribed to the early historical period and is dateable to 3rd-4th century A.D. Mudbrick structures, pottery manufactured in a wheel and a few metal objects have been found from this era which gave out the significant changes made by the inhabitants starting from handmade mat pottery to superior red ware and the shift from pits to mudbrick houses.

References:

A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century - by Upinder Singh
Neolithic Settlement in Burzahom - Case Study by permanent delegation of India to UNESCO
Neolithic Hunting Scene on a Stone Slab from Burzahom, Kashmir - by University of Hawaii

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