Core or Periphery? Human utilization of the Kashmir Himalayas from Antiquity to Early-Historic period
Abstract ID: 3.11137 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA
Mohammad Ajmal Shah (1)
(1) University of Kashmir, Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, 190006 SRINAGAR, IN
Abstract
The Himalayan mountains, one of the most formidable natural barriers on earth, have long shaped human migration, adaptation, and cultural exchange. Archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence suggests that humans began utilizing these high-altitude landscapes tens of thousands of years ago, navigating through a complex web of routes that connected diverse ecological and cultural zones. Early hunter-gatherers traversed the region in search of resources, gradually adapting to its extreme conditions through physiological and cultural innovations. The discovery of Pleistocene-era stone tools and genetic adaptations in Tibetan and Himalayan populations, points to a long-term human presence in the region. Beyond mere survival, the Himalayas facilitated early trans-regional networks, with the Kashmir Himalayas serving as a crucial corridor between Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Tibetan plateau. Ancient trade and pilgrimage routes, such as the Silk Route and various mountain passes, enabled the movement of goods, ideas, and technologies. Rock art, scared religious shrines, and structural remains along these routes further highlight the cultural and economic significance of these networks. Contrary to the perception of an isolated periphery, the region thrived as a dynamic hub, fostering the exchange of people, goods, and ideas while shaping cultural and economic interactions across the Himalayan and transregional landscapes. This study integrates archaeological, artistic, and environmental research to highlight the Kashmir Himalayas as a dynamic core region, central to networks of mobility, adaptation, and exchange from prehistory to historic times.
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