Gufkral, Prehistoric cave settlement in Pulwama District, India.
Gufkral is a prehistoric cave settlement in Pulwama District, located on an elevated plateau between two streams near the town of Tral. The site contains multiple cave formations and archaeological remains that reveal how people lived in ancient times.
Archaeological work beginning in 1981 revealed five phases of continuous settlement from the Aceramic Neolithic through the Megalithic period. This occupation spans roughly 2000 to 3000 BCE and shows the long story of habitation in these caves.
The name Gufkral comes from the local language, where "guf" refers to caves and "kral" means potter. The landscape still shows traces of this ancient craft tradition.
The site lies roughly 40 kilometers southeast of Srinagar and requires coordination with local authorities before visiting. Reaching it involves planning ahead and asking for local guidance to explore safely and understand the remains.
Bone remains found here share features with skeletal material from Harappa, suggesting a connection between Kashmir and Indus Valley peoples. This discovery hints that early inhabitants of this region had contact with distant communities.
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