BASHARAT RASHID
Pulwama: Gufkral in Tral area of this south Kashmir district, considered as one of the sites in the valley which has been dated by archaeologists to the Neolithic period, is facing official neglect for years.
Gufkral (literally Guf – cave Kral – potter), is located at Banmir village in Hurdumir area of Tral, 5 kilometres from the sub district headquarter. The village falls between two nallahs (streams) on an extensive deposit of Karewa (elevated table-land) where people used to live in ancient times.
It is said that the first man reaching valley in the early part of the Neolithic period settled at Gufkral.
According to the book ‘Ainai Tral’ by a researcher Dr Nisar Ahmad Bhat Trali, “The people who first settled there prepared floors by applying a thick coat of red ochre, lime and evacuated shallow. The hearths and pit hearths were made for cooking purposes.”
The Gufkral was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1981 during which stone artifacts including the polished stone celts, ring stones, pounders, pestles, scrapers, etc were found. The main tool type included points, needles and harpoon. Besides, a bone and a paste bead of barrel shaped were excavated.
The interesting aspect of this phase is the occurrence of animal bones and plant remains. The excavation yielded bones of wild goat, wild cattle, red deer, wolf, Himalayan ibex and bear. From the bones it appeared that the animals were large and well built.
Locals around Gufkral told INS that their ancestors used to live under these sites when there were no houses in the area.
“Our ancestors used to live under these caves permanently as there were no houses during that period,” said a resident.
They said that authorities have neglected the historical site. “A long time ago, some officials from district administration visited here and entered these caves to see them but nothing was done since then.”
“The site is of utmost historical significance and must be preserved,” Dr Nisar Trali told INS.
When raised the issue before him, the Director Archeology, J&K, M S Zahid told INS that “the Gufkral is undoubtedly a historical site dating back to Neolithic period but the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology & Museums, J&K is not authorised to look after the site as it comes directly under the Archeological Survey of India”.
