Phase II of the archaeological excavation at Zehanpora in Baramulla district has begun, expanding a scientific investigation that has already yielded structural remains, pottery fragments, iron objects and a human skeleton.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo visited the site to review the work, examine its historical significance and mark the start of the new phase. Senior officers from the Culture Department, Baramulla district administration, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, the police and the Uri sub-division attended the visit, along with academics and students.
The site is being studied for evidence that may help researchers understand settlement patterns, building practices, technology and everyday life in earlier periods of Kashmir’s history. Archaeological deposits can preserve structures, tools, ceramics, metal objects and biological remains, allowing specialists to reconstruct how communities lived and how the settlement developed over time.
During Phase I, excavators identified a pebble wall made with locally available stones and pebbles. The remains indicate construction activity and may help establish the layout and architectural practices associated with the settlement. Researchers also recovered iron nails, adding evidence about the use of metal and the technological abilities of the people connected with the site.
Pottery fragments found in the excavated layers are expected to be important for determining chronology and studying domestic and cultural practices. Ceramic material is commonly used to compare occupation layers and identify changes in production, use and exchange over different periods.
The recovery of a human skeleton was among the most significant findings of the first phase. Scientific examination of skeletal remains can offer information about burial practices, health, diet, lifestyle and biological characteristics, but such conclusions require careful analysis of the remains and their archaeological context.
The second phase will extend the investigation through systematic exploration, scientific documentation and analysis of cultural layers. The work is expected to focus on establishing the relationship between the finds, the sequence in which the site was occupied and the broader historical setting of Zehanpora.
Officials stressed that excavation must be accompanied by proper recording, conservation and protection. Archaeological material loses much of its research value if its location and surrounding layer are not documented precisely, making field records and preservation measures as important as the recovery of individual objects.
The participation of the University of Kashmir and local colleges is also intended to provide field exposure to students and scholars. The project brings academic research together with the Union Territory’s heritage institutions and district administration, creating a basis for longer-term study of the site.
Zehanpora’s location in the Baramulla region gives the excavation wider importance for understanding the historical landscape of north Kashmir. The discoveries made so far remain subject to specialist study, and the second phase is expected to produce a clearer assessment of the site’s age, character and cultural significance.
The administration has placed emphasis on sustained research, conservation and public awareness as the work proceeds. Findings will need to be scientifically examined and securely preserved before firm historical conclusions are drawn.
