Antiquites of Upper Tibet: An Inventory of Pre-Buddhist Archeological Sites on the High Plateau

An examination of a host of ancient monuments and rock art sites discovered by the author during his upper Tibet circumnavigation expedition in 2000. This fascinating work introduces for the first time 100 archaeological sites perched on the highest parts of the Tibetan plateau, including those found in the vicinity of Mount Kailash. The physical traces unearthed are of the utmost importance to our understanding of the pre-Buddhist civilization of Tibet. As this work demonstrates, until the adoption of Indian Buddhism beginning in the 7th century CE, Tibet was home to an indigenous culture that was responsible for the creation of an impressive network of citadels, settlements, temples and necropolises. The documentation of these ancient monuments helps to define a field with vast potential. Special attention is paid to archaeological parallels with other early civilizations of Inner Asia. Authoritively expounded, the evidence presented begins to illuminate the late prehistory of Upper Tibet, opening a new chapter in archaeology of the region.