Sky Caves of Nepal, Part 2: The Scientist | Nat Geo Live

hi in the remote desolate borderlands of

hi in the remote desolate borderlands of Nepal and Nevada there is this ancient

Nepal and Nevada there is this ancient

Nepal and Nevada there is this ancient kingdom far beyond the reaches of the

kingdom far beyond the reaches of the

kingdom far beyond the reaches of the modern world it feels like it has this

modern world it feels like it has this

modern world it feels like it has this great expansive spiritualness to it

great expansive spiritualness to it

great expansive spiritualness to it this is Mustafa here’s the Tibetan

this is Mustafa here’s the Tibetan

this is Mustafa here’s the Tibetan Plateau what would we do without NASA I

Plateau what would we do without NASA I

Plateau what would we do without NASA I mean they produce some of the most

mean they produce some of the most

mean they produce some of the most absolutely stunning images on the planet

absolutely stunning images on the planet

absolutely stunning images on the planet and what I want to bring you to your

and what I want to bring you to your

and what I want to bring you to your attention is that this is Mustang right

attention is that this is Mustang right

attention is that this is Mustang right here and if you look at it carefully you

here and if you look at it carefully you

here and if you look at it carefully you can see that it’s a very natural

can see that it’s a very natural

can see that it’s a very natural corridor from the South Indian plain

corridor from the South Indian plain

corridor from the South Indian plain through the foothills of the Himalayas

through the foothills of the Himalayas

through the foothills of the Himalayas up onto the plateau and it’s quite well

up onto the plateau and it’s quite well

up onto the plateau and it’s quite well known as P pointed out to you earlier as

known as P pointed out to you earlier as

known as P pointed out to you earlier as a major corridor of Trade primarily of

a major corridor of Trade primarily of

a major corridor of Trade primarily of salt but other objects as well salt

salt but other objects as well salt

salt but other objects as well salt coming down from the plateau goods from

coming down from the plateau goods from

coming down from the plateau goods from the southern Indian plain going up onto

the southern Indian plain going up onto

the southern Indian plain going up onto the plateau and it’s been known as a

the plateau and it’s been known as a

the plateau and it’s been known as a major trade corridor for at least

major trade corridor for at least

major trade corridor for at least fourteen hundred years or so but it’s

fourteen hundred years or so but it’s

fourteen hundred years or so but it’s quite clear that there’s an antiquity

quite clear that there’s an antiquity

quite clear that there’s an antiquity here that goes well beyond that that is

here that goes well beyond that that is

here that goes well beyond that that is other projects other ideas had been

other projects other ideas had been

other projects other ideas had been proposed to suggest that that this

proposed to suggest that that this

proposed to suggest that that this region is not simply a relatively recent

region is not simply a relatively recent

region is not simply a relatively recent addition to prehistory but in fact has

addition to prehistory but in fact has

addition to prehistory but in fact has some very substantial antiquity that

some very substantial antiquity that

some very substantial antiquity that goes way back perhaps as many as oh I

goes way back perhaps as many as oh I

goes way back perhaps as many as oh I don’t know 20 to 25 thousand years

don’t know 20 to 25 thousand years

don’t know 20 to 25 thousand years fortunately we have some data that might

fortunately we have some data that might

fortunately we have some data that might suggest that’s the case that’s a

suggest that’s the case that’s a

suggest that’s the case that’s a different project and I’ll get into that

different project and I’ll get into that

different project and I’ll get into that at some other point in the future right

at some other point in the future right

at some other point in the future right now just be clear where we’re at in the

now just be clear where we’re at in the

now just be clear where we’re at in the world and get a sense of what this

world and get a sense of what this

world and get a sense of what this plateau actually looks like one of the

plateau actually looks like one of the

plateau actually looks like one of the most important features though of our

most important features though of our

most important features though of our project and this is something that I

project and this is something that I

project and this is something that I really think that Pete needs some some

really think that Pete needs some some

really think that Pete needs some some really some great applause for as well

really some great applause for as well

really some great applause for as well is that among his his romantic interest

is that among his his romantic interest

is that among his his romantic interest if you will in the the mystery of this

if you will in the the mystery of this

if you will in the the mystery of this place is also the sense that he brought

place is also the sense that he brought

place is also the sense that he brought to the project early on that this is a

to the project early on that this is a

to the project early on that this is a fragile cultural heritage that really

fragile cultural heritage that really

fragile cultural heritage that really demands a significant degree of

demands a significant degree of

demands a significant degree of preservation the nepali state is very

preservation the nepali state is very

preservation the nepali state is very poor they have very limited control over

poor they have very limited control over

poor they have very limited control over the activities that take place in the

the activities that take place in the

the activities that take place in the hinterlands and so there’s a

hinterlands and so there’s a

hinterlands and so there’s a difficut amount of damage and

difficut amount of damage and

difficut amount of damage and destruction and looting of these

destruction and looting of these

destruction and looting of these archaeological sites and even though

archaeological sites and even though

archaeological sites and even though there are thousands of caves out there

there are thousands of caves out there

there are thousands of caves out there in the in this region many of them have

in the in this region many of them have

in the in this region many of them have suffered the depredations of people

suffered the depredations of people

suffered the depredations of people coming through and and literally going

coming through and and literally going

coming through and and literally going through things like this getting to them

through things like this getting to them

through things like this getting to them before we the archaeologists and the

before we the archaeologists and the

before we the archaeologists and the explorers get there what you’re looking

explorers get there what you’re looking

explorers get there what you’re looking here is a scientist in the middle

here is a scientist in the middle

here is a scientist in the middle charles ramble from now at the Sorbonne

charles ramble from now at the Sorbonne

charles ramble from now at the Sorbonne that is actually studying the

that is actually studying the

that is actually studying the manuscripts that we recovered in 2008

manuscripts that we recovered in 2008

manuscripts that we recovered in 2008 from one of the cave complexes called

from one of the cave complexes called

from one of the cave complexes called Mars on so this was actually a rescue

Mars on so this was actually a rescue

Mars on so this was actually a rescue project that brought these things back

project that brought these things back

project that brought these things back out that is part of our project as well

out that is part of our project as well

out that is part of our project as well and you can see the effects of the

and you can see the effects of the

and you can see the effects of the looting that have taken place here what

looting that have taken place here what

looting that have taken place here what you’re looking at is a what’s called the

you’re looking at is a what’s called the

you’re looking at is a what’s called the Cobham it’s a shortened or a reliquary

Cobham it’s a shortened or a reliquary

Cobham it’s a shortened or a reliquary that had once the remains of an

that had once the remains of an

that had once the remains of an important personage probably a lama

important personage probably a lama

important personage probably a lama perhaps a very important monk buried

perhaps a very important monk buried

perhaps a very important monk buried inside after cremation often buried then

inside after cremation often buried then

inside after cremation often buried then with objects that were important to that

with objects that were important to that

with objects that were important to that individual and you can see that these

individual and you can see that these

individual and you can see that these things have been looted substantially in

things have been looted substantially in

things have been looted substantially in the past one of our team members sucrose

the past one of our team members sucrose

the past one of our team members sucrose auger of Nepal is looking somewhat but

auger of Nepal is looking somewhat but

auger of Nepal is looking somewhat but mused about what do I do with this but

mused about what do I do with this but

mused about what do I do with this but part of our project has been an outreach

part of our project has been an outreach

part of our project has been an outreach effort to try to get involvement with

effort to try to get involvement with

effort to try to get involvement with the local community to say look this is

the local community to say look this is

the local community to say look this is part of your heritage you need to be

part of your heritage you need to be

part of your heritage you need to be thinking about preserving these objects

thinking about preserving these objects

thinking about preserving these objects and these sites insofar as you’re able

and these sites insofar as you’re able

and these sites insofar as you’re able to do so our hope is to provide them

to do so our hope is to provide them

to do so our hope is to provide them with some of the resources museums that

with some of the resources museums that

with some of the resources museums that we can build with them as well to create

we can build with them as well to create

we can build with them as well to create this context of preserving their own

this context of preserving their own

this context of preserving their own past for the future but not what I want

past for the future but not what I want

past for the future but not what I want to do is bring you back to the science I

to do is bring you back to the science I

to do is bring you back to the science I think that’s you know that’s certainly

think that’s you know that’s certainly

think that’s you know that’s certainly my that’s my love I’m going to say this

my that’s my love I’m going to say this

my that’s my love I’m going to say this I hope that I don’t Apollo

I hope that I don’t Apollo

I hope that I don’t Apollo I wish I have been the one who actually

I wish I have been the one who actually

I wish I have been the one who actually said this but I’m not a very famous

said this but I’m not a very famous

said this but I’m not a very famous archeologist at a plenary session of our

archeologist at a plenary session of our

archeologist at a plenary session of our american anthropological association was

american anthropological association was

american anthropological association was giving this wonderful speech and he was

giving this wonderful speech and he was

giving this wonderful speech and he was pronouncing the wonders of archaeology

pronouncing the wonders of archaeology

pronouncing the wonders of archaeology said you know archaeology is the most

said you know archaeology is the most

said you know archaeology is the most fun you can have with your pants on and

fun you can have with your pants on and

fun you can have with your pants on and and I I really believe that I have so

and I I really believe that I have so

and I I really believe that I have so much fun doing this archaeology even if

much fun doing this archaeology even if

much fun doing this archaeology even if I am being dangled on the end of a rope

I am being dangled on the end of a rope

I am being dangled on the end of a rope someplace you know hanging for my dear

someplace you know hanging for my dear

someplace you know hanging for my dear life while I’m you know being coached by

life while I’m you know being coached by

life while I’m you know being coached by Pete but in any case I’m going to take

Pete but in any case I’m going to take

Pete but in any case I’m going to take you to Sam Zog and I’m going to give you

you to Sam Zog and I’m going to give you

you to Sam Zog and I’m going to give you some background to samseong in a moment

some background to samseong in a moment

some background to samseong in a moment but one thing to be clear on is is that

but one thing to be clear on is is that

but one thing to be clear on is is that you’re looking at now are not caves they

you’re looking at now are not caves they

you’re looking at now are not caves they look like caves they might smell like

look like caves they might smell like

look like caves they might smell like caves in some sense but really what they

caves in some sense but really what they

caves in some sense but really what they are and you’ll see this in a moment are

are and you’ll see this in a moment are

are and you’ll see this in a moment are shaft tombs and if you saw that video

shaft tombs and if you saw that video

shaft tombs and if you saw that video that Pete produced for us in the in his

that Pete produced for us in the in his

that Pete produced for us in the in his discussion

discussion

discussion those were the apartment complexes of

those were the apartment complexes of

those were the apartment complexes of later migrants to this region they came

later migrants to this region they came

later migrants to this region they came in sometime around oh let’s say twelve

in sometime around oh let’s say twelve

in sometime around oh let’s say twelve to thirteen hundred ad and populated

to thirteen hundred ad and populated

to thirteen hundred ad and populated very large numbers of these cave

very large numbers of these cave

very large numbers of these cave complexes what you’re looking right now

complexes what you’re looking right now

complexes what you’re looking right now though is a burial chamber a set of

though is a burial chamber a set of

though is a burial chamber a set of burial chambers that dates to the dates

burial chambers that dates to the dates

burial chambers that dates to the dates you see up there that were created in a

you see up there that were created in a

you see up there that were created in a very special process and let me give you

very special process and let me give you

very special process and let me give you the animation that you can see on the

the animation that you can see on the

the animation that you can see on the iPad version of the National Geographic

iPad version of the National Geographic

iPad version of the National Geographic article on this project tomb five is

article on this project tomb five is

article on this project tomb five is located among the Sam’s own caves in the

located among the Sam’s own caves in the

located among the Sam’s own caves in the Moose dong region of Nepal exposed when

Moose dong region of Nepal exposed when

Moose dong region of Nepal exposed when the cliff face collapsed these mortuary

the cliff face collapsed these mortuary

the cliff face collapsed these mortuary caves were once reached by narrow access

caves were once reached by narrow access

caves were once reached by narrow access tubes

in this artist’s reconstruction we can

in this artist’s reconstruction we can explore the contents of tomb five

the man buried here was likely a local

the man buried here was likely a local leader and has surrounded by clues to

leader and has surrounded by clues to

leader and has surrounded by clues to his high status there are sacrificed

his high status there are sacrificed

his high status there are sacrificed animals wood and bamboo cups and a

animals wood and bamboo cups and a

animals wood and bamboo cups and a copper vessel that may have held a

copper vessel that may have held a

copper vessel that may have held a barley beer there is ground flour on the

barley beer there is ground flour on the

barley beer there is ground flour on the floor one mystery is the presence of a

floor one mystery is the presence of a

floor one mystery is the presence of a child’s skeleton perhaps 10 years old of

child’s skeleton perhaps 10 years old of

child’s skeleton perhaps 10 years old of whom little is known the burial coffin

whom little is known the burial coffin

whom little is known the burial coffin is carefully painted with a man horses

is carefully painted with a man horses

is carefully painted with a man horses and trees inside there are iron daggers

and trees inside there are iron daggers

and trees inside there are iron daggers and the skeleton shows cut marks on the

and the skeleton shows cut marks on the

and the skeleton shows cut marks on the bone possible evidence of the ritual

bone possible evidence of the ritual

bone possible evidence of the ritual removal of flesh adorning the remains is

removal of flesh adorning the remains is

removal of flesh adorning the remains is a small bronze mirror and over the face

a small bronze mirror and over the face

a small bronze mirror and over the face a painted mask made of gold and silver

this chamber answers some questions but

this chamber answers some questions but poses many more it also suggests that

poses many more it also suggests that

poses many more it also suggests that other caves may be hidden nearby

other caves may be hidden nearby

other caves may be hidden nearby awaiting discovery the key to this

awaiting discovery the key to this

awaiting discovery the key to this though is thinking that these are tombs

though is thinking that these are tombs

though is thinking that these are tombs not caves they were dug into the shafts

not caves they were dug into the shafts

not caves they were dug into the shafts as I pointed out and what’s important

as I pointed out and what’s important

as I pointed out and what’s important about them is we never would have seen

about them is we never would have seen

about them is we never would have seen them had we simply walked by them that

them had we simply walked by them that

them had we simply walked by them that is if that earthquake had not capped off

is if that earthquake had not capped off

is if that earthquake had not capped off those those cliff faces we simply

those those cliff faces we simply

those those cliff faces we simply wouldn’t have known they were there one

wouldn’t have known they were there one

wouldn’t have known they were there one of the things that we do know about

of the things that we do know about

of the things that we do know about though is that this part of the Himalaya

though is that this part of the Himalaya

though is that this part of the Himalaya in general and much of the Tibetan

in general and much of the Tibetan

in general and much of the Tibetan Plateau for that matter is an

Plateau for that matter is an

Plateau for that matter is an extraordinary cultural linguistic and

extraordinary cultural linguistic and

extraordinary cultural linguistic and genetic mosaic that is we know that

genetic mosaic that is we know that

genetic mosaic that is we know that there are many different kinds of

there are many different kinds of

there are many different kinds of cultures here that that thrived in this

cultures here that that thrived in this

cultures here that that thrived in this region but we really know very little

region but we really know very little

region but we really know very little about them in great detail that is we

about them in great detail that is we

about them in great detail that is we can take ethnographies and take a look

can take ethnographies and take a look

can take ethnographies and take a look at different different groups that

at different different groups that

at different different groups that reside in different parts of the

reside in different parts of the

reside in different parts of the Himalaya but one thing that’s very clear

Himalaya but one thing that’s very clear

Himalaya but one thing that’s very clear is that the the population history of

is that the the population history of

is that the the population history of this region is far more complex than

this region is far more complex than

this region is far more complex than just getting a snapshot of different

just getting a snapshot of different

just getting a snapshot of different cultures as they live right now in this

cultures as they live right now in this

cultures as they live right now in this region and so one of the things that

region and so one of the things that

region and so one of the things that motivated this project one of the major

motivated this project one of the major

motivated this project one of the major themes that I’m about to address right

themes that I’m about to address right

themes that I’m about to address right now is going to be the migration theme

now is going to be the migration theme

now is going to be the migration theme that is I’m really concerned about

that is I’m really concerned about

that is I’m really concerned about thinking about

thinking about

thinking about when did people get here first what were

when did people get here first what were

when did people get here first what were those people like where were they from

those people like where were they from

those people like where were they from what parts of the Himalayas what parts

what parts of the Himalayas what parts

what parts of the Himalayas what parts of India what parts of the Tibetan

of India what parts of the Tibetan

of India what parts of the Tibetan Plateau could they have possibly

Plateau could they have possibly

Plateau could they have possibly originated from so much of our research

originated from so much of our research

originated from so much of our research then looking at Sam Zhang and then

then looking at Sam Zhang and then

then looking at Sam Zhang and then looking at sites that are somewhat

looking at sites that are somewhat

looking at sites that are somewhat earlier than that as well that are

earlier than that as well that are

earlier than that as well that are actually two more cultural entities that

actually two more cultural entities that

actually two more cultural entities that we know about that are before this what

we know about that are before this what

we know about that are before this what can they say about this remarkable

can they say about this remarkable

can they say about this remarkable cultural mosaic that we have in this

cultural mosaic that we have in this

cultural mosaic that we have in this region today what you’re looking at on

region today what you’re looking at on

region today what you’re looking at on the left is a Tibetan on the other side

the left is a Tibetan on the other side

the left is a Tibetan on the other side is a Sherpa but if you go down into the

is a Sherpa but if you go down into the

is a Sherpa but if you go down into the foothills you see a variety of different

foothills you see a variety of different

foothills you see a variety of different mixed groups of people that have very

mixed groups of people that have very

mixed groups of people that have very different characteristics their

different characteristics their

different characteristics their phenotypes and their cultures for that

phenotypes and their cultures for that

phenotypes and their cultures for that matter as well as their languages are

matter as well as their languages are

matter as well as their languages are something extraordinarily different we

something extraordinarily different we

something extraordinarily different we want to understand that process one

want to understand that process one

want to understand that process one other theme though I’d like to address

other theme though I’d like to address

other theme though I’d like to address before I conclude tonight then is that I

before I conclude tonight then is that I

before I conclude tonight then is that I want to talk about objects things that

want to talk about objects things that

want to talk about objects things that connect our region of Mustang to the

connect our region of Mustang to the

connect our region of Mustang to the rest of the world and as you’ve got a

rest of the world and as you’ve got a

rest of the world and as you’ve got a sense from Pete that is there’s a sense

sense from Pete that is there’s a sense

sense from Pete that is there’s a sense that yes Mustang is there but also

that yes Mustang is there but also

that yes Mustang is there but also Mustang looks isolated in some ways as

Mustang looks isolated in some ways as

Mustang looks isolated in some ways as well but yet we think it’s quite

well but yet we think it’s quite

well but yet we think it’s quite connected watch this video please

connected watch this video please

connected watch this video please the expedition takes place in Nepal in

the expedition takes place in Nepal in

the expedition takes place in Nepal in an ancient kingdom called lists on here

an ancient kingdom called lists on here

an ancient kingdom called lists on here the Kali Gandaki River carved a

the Kali Gandaki River carved a

the Kali Gandaki River carved a migration route through the Himalaya

migration route through the Himalaya

migration route through the Himalaya connecting China and Tibet with India

connecting China and Tibet with India

connecting China and Tibet with India mark believes mu stone was once a

mark believes mu stone was once a

mark believes mu stone was once a crossroads and suspects this River

crossroads and suspects this River

crossroads and suspects this River corridor was an important artery linked

corridor was an important artery linked

corridor was an important artery linked to the famous east-west trade route

to the famous east-west trade route

to the famous east-west trade route further north

further north

further north Silk Road we know that we have clear

Silk Road we know that we have clear

Silk Road we know that we have clear connections to Tibetan Buddhism to

connections to Tibetan Buddhism to

connections to Tibetan Buddhism to artistic motifs and designs in

artistic motifs and designs in

artistic motifs and designs in iconography that connect this part of

iconography that connect this part of

iconography that connect this part of Mustang to the Western Himalaya to

Mustang to the Western Himalaya to

Mustang to the Western Himalaya to further north as well and the other side

further north as well and the other side

further north as well and the other side of the Taklamakan desert and you’re

of the Taklamakan desert and you’re

of the Taklamakan desert and you’re looking at Luigi fini he’s not part of

looking at Luigi fini he’s not part of

looking at Luigi fini he’s not part of our project but he’s been working in

our project but he’s been working in

our project but he’s been working in Mustang for a number of years doing

Mustang for a number of years doing

Mustang for a number of years doing extraordinary reconstructions and

extraordinary reconstructions and

extraordinary reconstructions and restorations of Tibetan Buddhist art and

restorations of Tibetan Buddhist art and

restorations of Tibetan Buddhist art and important monasteries and temples in the

important monasteries and temples in the

important monasteries and temples in the region so it’s clear that there is a

region so it’s clear that there is a

region so it’s clear that there is a connection here that is we know there’s

connection here that is we know there’s

connection here that is we know there’s some kind of connection but the

some kind of connection but the

some kind of connection but the character of that connection is really

character of that connection is really

character of that connection is really somewhat unclear history only takes us

somewhat unclear history only takes us

somewhat unclear history only takes us so far they say well of course there was

so far they say well of course there was

so far they say well of course there was trade up and down this valley but what

trade up and down this valley but what

trade up and down this valley but what do we know about the antiquity of this

do we know about the antiquity of this

do we know about the antiquity of this trade how well does it connect anything

trade how well does it connect anything

trade how well does it connect anything that we would want to talk about in

that we would want to talk about in

that we would want to talk about in terms of the Silk Road so it’s easy to

terms of the Silk Road so it’s easy to

terms of the Silk Road so it’s easy to talk about the idea but the until

talk about the idea but the until

talk about the idea but the until recently the empirical evidence for

recently the empirical evidence for

recently the empirical evidence for connecting this part of Nepal or any

connecting this part of Nepal or any

connecting this part of Nepal or any part of Nepal for that matter to

part of Nepal for that matter to

part of Nepal for that matter to anything about the Silk Road simply did

anything about the Silk Road simply did

anything about the Silk Road simply did not exist so I bring you back to tomb

not exist so I bring you back to tomb

not exist so I bring you back to tomb five again I suggested I’d be back and

five again I suggested I’d be back and

five again I suggested I’d be back and here we are

here we are

here we are tomb five is a tallit barrel that we

tomb five is a tallit barrel that we

tomb five is a tallit barrel that we wrote located at samseong I’m going to

wrote located at samseong I’m going to

wrote located at samseong I’m going to show you some of the artifacts that come

show you some of the artifacts that come

show you some of the artifacts that come out of tune five because they’re

out of tune five because they’re

out of tune five because they’re absolutely critical and key indicators

absolutely critical and key indicators

absolutely critical and key indicators of this connection about the Silk Road

of this connection about the Silk Road

of this connection about the Silk Road that are absolutely fascinating this

that are absolutely fascinating this

that are absolutely fascinating this gold and silver mask I didn’t know what

gold and silver mask I didn’t know what

gold and silver mask I didn’t know what it was when we dug it out that is you

it was when we dug it out that is you

it was when we dug it out that is you know Pete brings it down says look at

know Pete brings it down says look at

know Pete brings it down says look at this that’s why it’s cool I didn’t know

this that’s why it’s cool I didn’t know

this that’s why it’s cool I didn’t know what it was very light it’s very thin

what it was very light it’s very thin

what it was very light it’s very thin it’s only a millimeter thick it’s tiny

it’s only a millimeter thick it’s tiny

it’s only a millimeter thick it’s tiny it’s only about this big and I thought

it’s only about this big and I thought

it’s only about this big and I thought it was ten it was so light and so

it was ten it was so light and so

it was ten it was so light and so fragile it turns out it’s two pieces of

fragile it turns out it’s two pieces of

fragile it turns out it’s two pieces of metal one piece of gold and one piece of

metal one piece of gold and one piece of

metal one piece of gold and one piece of silver hammered together our

silver hammered together our

silver hammered together our metallurgist Giovanni Massa at the UCL

metallurgist Giovanni Massa at the UCL

metallurgist Giovanni Massa at the UCL University College London is doing the

University College London is doing the

University College London is doing the metallurgy on this and other metals from

metallurgy on this and other metals from

metallurgy on this and other metals from the project this piece of this is this

the project this piece of this is this

the project this piece of this is this is extraordinary this has never been

is extraordinary this has never been

is extraordinary this has never been discovered in Nepal before it is a

discovered in Nepal before it is a

discovered in Nepal before it is a unique object that has though a

unique object that has though a

unique object that has though a resonance with other parts of the

resonance with other parts of the

resonance with other parts of the Himalayan world in particular that is a

Himalayan world in particular that is a

Himalayan world in particular that is a mask no more than about 200 kilometres

mask no more than about 200 kilometres

mask no more than about 200 kilometres to the west from the northwestern region

to the west from the northwestern region

to the west from the northwestern region of Northwest and India called malaria

of Northwest and India called malaria

of Northwest and India called malaria the site called malari

the site called malari

the site called malari – pure gold mask and I learned about

– pure gold mask and I learned about

– pure gold mask and I learned about that two years ago compare this then to

that two years ago compare this then to

that two years ago compare this then to another gold mask found in the region as

another gold mask found in the region as

another gold mask found in the region as well this is from the google region

well this is from the google region

well this is from the google region which is in western Tibet very close to

which is in western Tibet very close to

which is in western Tibet very close to where I used to do my work discovered by

where I used to do my work discovered by

where I used to do my work discovered by accident unfortunately not by me but by

accident unfortunately not by me but by

accident unfortunately not by me but by colleagues but you get a sense of again

colleagues but you get a sense of again

colleagues but you get a sense of again very similar sorts of treatment if you

very similar sorts of treatment if you

very similar sorts of treatment if you continue up to the north you get

continue up to the north you get

continue up to the north you get yourself into Shin Jon you find the same

yourself into Shin Jon you find the same

yourself into Shin Jon you find the same kind of burial practice taking place

kind of burial practice taking place

kind of burial practice taking place masks usually of gold or silver placed

masks usually of gold or silver placed

masks usually of gold or silver placed over the faces of the Dead if you go

over the faces of the Dead if you go

over the faces of the Dead if you go further to the west into Kazakhstan even

further to the west into Kazakhstan even

further to the west into Kazakhstan even further beyond that you’ll find the very

further beyond that you’ll find the very

further beyond that you’ll find the very similar mortuary pattern so that very

similar mortuary pattern so that very

similar mortuary pattern so that very simple mask that you see in Samsung is

simple mask that you see in Samsung is

simple mask that you see in Samsung is reflecting this broad cultural tradition

reflecting this broad cultural tradition

reflecting this broad cultural tradition that we see stretching from West coming

that we see stretching from West coming

that we see stretching from West coming to the east I’ve not seen this in Tibet

to the east I’ve not seen this in Tibet

to the east I’ve not seen this in Tibet other than in Western Tibet right now it

other than in Western Tibet right now it

other than in Western Tibet right now it will be fascinating to see how far that

will be fascinating to see how far that

will be fascinating to see how far that extends into the eastern parts or other

extends into the eastern parts or other

extends into the eastern parts or other parts of Nepal for that matter as well

parts of Nepal for that matter as well

parts of Nepal for that matter as well humble things like beads these are glass

humble things like beads these are glass

humble things like beads these are glass beads when we found them I wasn’t really

beads when we found them I wasn’t really

beads when we found them I wasn’t really sure what they were all be honest with

sure what they were all be honest with

sure what they were all be honest with you much of my work until relatively

you much of my work until relatively

you much of my work until relatively recently has been in the Andes they

recently has been in the Andes they

recently has been in the Andes they don’t make glass beads in the Andes so I

don’t make glass beads in the Andes so I

don’t make glass beads in the Andes so I find these things and go what is this

find these things and go what is this

find these things and go what is this stuff and finally it dawns on the other

stuff and finally it dawns on the other

stuff and finally it dawns on the other glass well you can take that glass now

glass well you can take that glass now

glass well you can take that glass now and you can have it you can look at the

and you can have it you can look at the

and you can have it you can look at the chemical composition of that glass and

chemical composition of that glass and

chemical composition of that glass and what you find is extraordinary this set

what you find is extraordinary this set

what you find is extraordinary this set of be and that was with tomb five by the

of be and that was with tomb five by the

of be and that was with tomb five by the way this is something there’s probably

way this is something there’s probably

way this is something there’s probably draped over the head of the individual

draped over the head of the individual

draped over the head of the individual beads from Pakistan someplace down in

beads from Pakistan someplace down in

beads from Pakistan someplace down in the Indus Valley these beads are the

the Indus Valley these beads are the

the Indus Valley these beads are the ones that really give us the big clue

ones that really give us the big clue

ones that really give us the big clue Sesana it’s was a polity in Persia which

Sesana it’s was a polity in Persia which

Sesana it’s was a polity in Persia which is of course now in modern Iran

is of course now in modern Iran

is of course now in modern Iran absolutely smoking gun evidence of a

absolutely smoking gun evidence of a

absolutely smoking gun evidence of a connection of some kind of this little

connection of some kind of this little

connection of some kind of this little place in Nepal to the Silk Road

place in Nepal to the Silk Road

place in Nepal to the Silk Road themselves these are even more

themselves these are even more

themselves these are even more fascinating in some ways they’re not

fascinating in some ways they’re not

fascinating in some ways they’re not directly Silk Road they’re from either

directly Silk Road they’re from either

directly Silk Road they’re from either South Asia that is someplace in very far

South Asia that is someplace in very far

South Asia that is someplace in very far southern India or Southeast Asia brought

southern India or Southeast Asia brought

southern India or Southeast Asia brought over to the continent by maritime trade

over to the continent by maritime trade

over to the continent by maritime trade and trade it all the way up into the

and trade it all the way up into the

and trade it all the way up into the Himalayas for god knows what reason and

Himalayas for god knows what reason and

Himalayas for god knows what reason and put on the dead of this individual in

put on the dead of this individual in

put on the dead of this individual in this tomb this is one of our more

this tomb this is one of our more

this tomb this is one of our more extraordinary finds it’s actually tiny

extraordinary finds it’s actually tiny

extraordinary finds it’s actually tiny it’s only about five centimetres or so

it’s only about five centimetres or so

it’s only about five centimetres or so in size not much to look at it’s Chinese

in size not much to look at it’s Chinese

in size not much to look at it’s Chinese silk

silk

silk now Chinese silk of course travels all

now Chinese silk of course travels all

now Chinese silk of course travels all back and forth at some point people

back and forth at some point people

back and forth at some point people start making silk outside China after

start making silk outside China after

start making silk outside China after they figured out how to steal the worms

they figured out how to steal the worms

they figured out how to steal the worms and do all that sort of thing and put

and do all that sort of thing and put

and do all that sort of thing and put that to work what you’re looking at is a

that to work what you’re looking at is a

that to work what you’re looking at is a wonderful piece of Chinese silk found in

wonderful piece of Chinese silk found in

wonderful piece of Chinese silk found in tomb five as well dyes are being

tomb five as well dyes are being

tomb five as well dyes are being analyzed right now the person doing this

analyzed right now the person doing this

analyzed right now the person doing this also at University College London was

also at University College London was

also at University College London was just flabbergasted she said I usually

just flabbergasted she said I usually

just flabbergasted she said I usually see all the pretty stuff I don’t get the

see all the pretty stuff I don’t get the

see all the pretty stuff I don’t get the seed that the kind of crummy stuff so

seed that the kind of crummy stuff so

seed that the kind of crummy stuff so she was thrilled to see something that

she was thrilled to see something that

she was thrilled to see something that was more quotidian but again look at the

was more quotidian but again look at the

was more quotidian but again look at the connection masks beads silks that

connection masks beads silks that

connection masks beads silks that connect us very clearly to the Silk Road

connect us very clearly to the Silk Road

connect us very clearly to the Silk Road in some manner finally the last object

in some manner finally the last object

in some manner finally the last object that I’d like to talk about is this this

that I’d like to talk about is this this

that I’d like to talk about is this this bronze disc it’s in very fragile state

bronze disc it’s in very fragile state

bronze disc it’s in very fragile state it’s disintegrating rapidly but what’s a

it’s disintegrating rapidly but what’s a

it’s disintegrating rapidly but what’s a very clear indicator of where this is

very clear indicator of where this is

very clear indicator of where this is from it’s not from the West it’s not

from it’s not from the West it’s not

from it’s not from the West it’s not Silk Road west its Silk Road east this

Silk Road west its Silk Road east this

Silk Road west its Silk Road east this is from Lhasa or beyond it’s a medallion

is from Lhasa or beyond it’s a medallion

is from Lhasa or beyond it’s a medallion that’s often placed on the dead of

that’s often placed on the dead of

that’s often placed on the dead of important religious figures in modern

important religious figures in modern

important religious figures in modern Tibetan the modern Tibetan world like

Tibetan the modern Tibetan world like

Tibetan the modern Tibetan world like those Lamas that might have been in

those Lamas that might have been in

those Lamas that might have been in those columns what you’re looking at is

those columns what you’re looking at is

those columns what you’re looking at is this object and it was placed on the

this object and it was placed on the

this object and it was placed on the dead individual in tomb five and it’s a

dead individual in tomb five and it’s a

dead individual in tomb five and it’s a good indicator of the of the status of

good indicator of the of the status of

good indicator of the of the status of this and so what you’re looking at then

this and so what you’re looking at then

this and so what you’re looking at then is another clear indicator of Mustang

is another clear indicator of Mustang

is another clear indicator of Mustang being connected to this much broader

being connected to this much broader

being connected to this much broader world so I’d like to conclude my

world so I’d like to conclude my

world so I’d like to conclude my presentation by by a few comments I’ve

presentation by by a few comments I’ve

presentation by by a few comments I’ve given you some science and I of course

given you some science and I of course

given you some science and I of course get excited about that science and find

get excited about that science and find

get excited about that science and find it absolutely fascinating

it absolutely fascinating

it absolutely fascinating Coria is the you know we he takes the

Coria is the you know we he takes the

Coria is the you know we he takes the dry material that I’ve talked about this

dry material that I’ve talked about this

dry material that I’ve talked about this evening he puts it into a visual

evening he puts it into a visual

evening he puts it into a visual framework that provides you with a way

framework that provides you with a way

framework that provides you with a way to that kind of gets you and so with

to that kind of gets you and so with

to that kind of gets you and so with that introduction I’d like to bring

that introduction I’d like to bring

that introduction I’d like to bring Corey up to the stage thank you very

Corey up to the stage thank you very

Corey up to the stage thank you very much for your attention it’s really been

much for your attention it’s really been

much for your attention it’s really been a great pleasure