The Mustang Caves: an ancient kingdom in Nepal
Archaeologists do not know who built them, nor what their function was. Furthermore, it is not possible to understand how people managed to climb towards these cavities built several meters above the ground.
Hidden among the peaks of the Himalayas, there is a place with around 10 thousand artificial caves dug into the living rock at around 60 meters above sea level, in a gorge so large that it far exceeds the Grand Canyon. The impressive number of caves are located in northern Nepal, in the Mustang District, and represent one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries. Some of them are unique, with a single entrance opening onto a vast front of jagged rocks. Others, however, were created in groups, one on top of the other, presenting vertical stackings even on nine levels.
Archaeologists do not know who built them, nor what their function was. Furthermore, it is not possible to understand how people managed to climb towards these cavities built several meters above the ground.
In the mid-1990s, archaeologists from Nepal and the University of Cologne began exploring the interior of the caves, finding a dozen human bodies, all at least 2,000 years old. Since then, groups of researchers have continued to investigate the 'Mustang Caves'. Those who were lucky enough to visit the mysterious caves said they had the impression of being in front of a gigantic sand castle.
One of these is Cory Richards, an adventure photographer, who together with archaeologist Mark Aldenderfer, climber Pete Athans and a team of explorers, went to the site in search of hidden relics and unexplored caves. “Honestly, when I arrived I realized that the site is bigger than anything I could have ever imagined,” says Richards.
In some cavities, several murals and manuscripts illustrating Buddhist history have been found. Researchers think that Mustang cave use can be divided into at least three periods.
The caves were used as early as 1000 BC as burial chambers. But it cannot be ruled out that the cavities were subsequently used by ancient local populations as a refuge in the event of an attack. In fact, most of the caves appear to be empty, although signs of domestic life have been found in some of them: hearths, tools and containers.
