Type: Archaeological Site - Rock Art
Province: Gilgit-Baltistan
District: Skardu
Period: Proto Historic
Relative Chronology: 2nd millennium BCE
Description: The site is situated on the right bank of River Indus connected by un-metaled road with Skardu through a suspension bridge and the road from Baghardo to Shiger. Above the Mohallah Shayot, Hyderabad, a big pond locally called Proni Rhzing. There are some boulders having prehistoric carvings along with Buddhist period carvings were noted around the north western side of this Pond. The carvings on the hill slope bearing mostly ibexes, human figures which were delicately carved by an artist. It is interesting that the cluster of rock drawings of Qumra dates back to the time when this legend first appeared. In thousand years, their surface has perished as smooth as the luster of the mirror under the effect of weathering. The flat surface of hard rocks bears dozens of skillful engravings which reflects the ancient man`s notions of life and reality. The goat ibexes are in groups are considerable interest. The standing man figures are very attractive. The carver is well succeeded in conveying their slow moments. Their bow shaped horns are turned back in several cases even up to the tail. In few cases they are placed opposite to each other. Nearly in all case group pictures of goats are accompanied by images of man and by conventional signs. Among the rock carvings of Qumra there occur rare engravings of a bull and leopard. Ibexes images are found together with those of goats. Some marcher, s images are very interesting with long wavy lines horns and the legs are also long. Between the Goats standing long man figures are also interested. Of great interest is the scene which depicts a wild beast (wolf) attack on a goat and different conventional signs evidently magical science. One of the rock carvings one can see a goat and a wolf with their heads towards each other but there is a long heavy line in between with a loopy ending. Behind the wolf solar circle is shown. In another drawing the picture of an animal`s body consist of two three concerned figures joined together. In a picture those of an ass has a long neck and ears seem to be remarkable. Very dynamic are hunting scenes, some of them bearing simple in composition. One of them is devoted to individual hunting. In the hunter`s left hand there is a bow, his right arm bent at elbow is raised up, his hand is directed a little bit aside after shooting an arrow. In the background two goats are drawn. One of them is a male with a flat body and big horn while the other is a female. The third goat is depicted as dead. Another composition of hunter is shown, whose legs are planted widely apart and whose both arms are spread aside on his shoulders level. His face is turned to the left. Between the horns and the back an arrow is drawn. Collective hunting scene are most interesting and impressive.
Latitude: 35.420750000
Longitude: 75.505633000
Ownership: Private
Legal Status: Not Protected
Title of Publication: Pak-German Archaeological Mission to the Northern Areas of the Heidelberg Academy for the Humanities and Sciences
Published In: Miscellaneous
Year of Publication: Miscellaneous
Bibliography/Reference: Hauptmann, H.
