Gufkral
Topic: Prehistory: Human Origins and Stone Age Cultures · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Gufkral is a Neolithic site in the Kashmir valley. Its name means "cave of the potter" (guf = cave, kral = potter). People lived in pit dwellings, which were houses dug partly into the ground to keep warm in the cold climate. Its earliest phase had no pottery. Its people kept sheep, goats and cattle and grew wheat, barley and lentil. It shows that farming began in Kashmir as a local way of life.
Example
At Gufkral, pit dwellings like those at Burzahom were found. Remains of wheat, barley and lentil were found with them, along with bones of domestic sheep and goat.
Don't confuse with
- Burzahom: the better-known Kashmir Neolithic site, also with pit dwellings. It is famous for dogs buried with their owners.