Burzahom is among the most prominent archaeological sights located in the Kashmir valley. Discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India this sight describes the life style of the Neolithic people who used stone implements. This is one of the unique sites which define the pre historic civilization that existed at the foothills of Himalayas. Unlike other sites this place is marked by some distinct features which provide unique information about the earliest civilization in Kashmir. Surrounded by Birch trees this area is called Burzahom which means ‘place of Birch’.

Location

Burzahom is located 16 km northeast of Srinagar on Naseem-Shalimar road, and situated about 1800 m above sea-level.  This place is located on the bed of some dried -up lakes known as Karewars in Kashmiri. Because of the forests and the lakes which surround the area, the place was selected as the most convenient place for the early settlers.

Excavations

Extensive excavation conducted at Burzahom by T.N. Khazanchi and his associates on behalf of the ASI from 1960 to 1971 has brought to light a fourfold sequence of cultures: Periods I and II, Neolithic; Period III, Megalithic; and Period IV, early, Historical.

• Period I

Period I has revealed dwelling pits, circular or oval on plan, narrow at the top and wide at the base and also pit chambers, square to rectangular in shape. Both the circular pits and pit chambers were dug into the compact natural soil. Some of the deeper ones were provided with landing steps, which however do not lead down to the bottom indicating the use of a ladder for further descent. The filling in some pits consists of ash and charcoal in regular bands, which is clearly indicative of human occupation. Post-holes on the periphery of these pits suggest that there must have been some superstructure of perishable material such as birch, carried on wooden posts as a protective cover. Storage pits, 60 to 91 cm in diameter, containing some animal bones, stone and bone tools are in close proximity to the dwelling pits. Irregularly dressed leaning stones, 91 cm to 1.51 m in length and 22 to 44 cm in width. Apart from the dwelling pits the residential pattern at the earliest level consists of rectangular or squarish pit chambers. They are also cut into the natural soil down to a depth of about 1 m or even less.

The period is marked by the presence of a large number of well-polished bone and stone tools. The pottery is characterised by crude and handmade, coarse in fabric, the colour mainly of steel-grey and various shades of dull-red, brown and buff. The main shapes are the bowl, vase and stem.

•  Period II

The Period II saw introduction of many new structural patterns. The semi-subterranean pits and pit chambers were filled up and plastered with mud and sometimes covered with a thin coat of red ochre to serve as a floor. That extensive timber structures were erected is clear from the numerous post-holes on the regular floors in the rammed karewa soil.

An important discovery in this Period is an engraved stone making it non-functional at the place of its occurrence. The engraving on the slab depicts hunting scenes showing an antlered deer being pierced from behind with a long spear by a hunter and an arrow being discharged by another hunter from the front while twin suns shine in the sky.

Numerous human and animal burials have been found. Humans were buried both primarily and secondarily in oval pits, mostly dug into the house floors or in the compound, the filling being, ash, stone pieces and pot sherds. Trepanning has also been noticed on one skull. In secondary burials skulls and long bones were preferred. Along with human bones those of dogs and antlered deer occur.

The pottery is generally handmade and consists of burnished black ware of medium fabric with shapes of dish with provision for a stand, high-necked jar, etc. Matt impressions on the bases continue on many types. A wheel-made red-ware pot with 950 carnelian and agate beads belongs to the end of the Period.

• Period III

The Megalithic period is associated with the setting up of menhirs or single standing stones, which can still be seen in Burzahom. The pottery was fine-to-medium red-ware mostly made on the potter’s wheel. Bone and stone tools were gradually discarded in favour of copper tools. Rubble structures of this Period have also been found.

• Period IV

The last activity at the site is in the early historical period, with mud-brick structures. The pottery is, red ware of fine-to-medium fabric, often slipped and mostly wheel-made. Iron objects occur.

Reference:Taken from

http://www.asi.nic.in/asi_exca_imp_jammukashmir.asp

http://kashmirnetwork.com/today/burzahom.html