Seeing into stone: pre-Buddhist Petroglyphs and Zangskars early inhabitants, with DVD

Book Details

• Publisher: ADITYA PRAKASHAN Indological Publishers & Booksellers

• Language: English

• Edition: 2018 (New Delhi)

• ISBN: 9788192450285

• ISBN-10: 8192450287

• Subject: Fine Arts, Buddhism

About the Book

This volume, Seeing Into Stone: Pre-Buddhist Petroglyphs and Zangskar’s Early Inhabitants by Rob Linrothe, presents the earliest and richest traces of human culture in Zangskar, Western Himalayas, through petroglyphs—drawings carved on rock. Documenting over twenty years of fieldwork, the book is richly illustrated with more than 150 original photographs and comes with a DVD featuring an additional 143 color illustrations.

The study explores the locations, subject matter, and distribution of the petroglyphs, examining their connections to hunter-gatherers and later herding communities. It also considers how Buddhist imagery was later superimposed on these Neolithic sites, highlighting the dynamic interaction between culture, landscape, and social economy. By combining archaeology, ethnography, and comparative anthropology, Linrothe provides a nuanced understanding of Zangskar’s early inhabitants and their material legacy.

Praised for both its visual richness and scholarly depth, the book emphasizes the urgency of preserving these endangered rock carvings, which are threatened by road construction, development, and neglect. Reviews from scholars like Mark Aldenderfer, Valerie C. Doran, and Martin Vernier highlight its significance as a landmark contribution to Himalayan archaeology, fine arts, and Buddhist studies.