Skeleton Lake

The article refers to the Skeleton Lake in India. For other references, please see Skeleton Lake (disambiguation).

Skeleton Lake is a Himalayan lake in Roopkund in Uttaranchal (itself formerly part of Uttar Pradesh), India, the location of about three to six hundred skeletons. The location is uninhabited and is located at an altitude of about 5,029 metres. The skeletons were discovered in 1942 when stumbled upon by a park ranger. At that time it was believed that the people died from an epidemic, landslides or a blizzard. The carbon dating from samples collected at that time in the 1960s vaguely indicated that the people were from the 12th century to the 15th century

In 2004 a team of Indian and European scientists set off to the location to gain more information on the skeletons. Braving bitter cold weather and thin air, the team uncovered vital clues including jewelry, skulls, bones and a preserved body.

DNA tests on the bodies revealed that there were two groups of people, a short group (probably local porters) and a taller group who were closely related. Though the numbers were not ascertained, it is believed that three hundred to six hundred people perished. Radio carbon dating of the bones also accurately pinpointed the time period to be in the 9th century predating the earlier inaccurate tests.

After studying fractures in the skulls, the scientists in Hyderabad and London concluded that the people died not of disease but of a sudden hailstorm. The hail stones were as large as cricket balls, and with no shelter in the open Himalayas all of them perished. Furthermore with the rarefied air and icy conditions, many bodies were well preserved. With landslides in the area, some of the bodies made their way into the lake.

What is not determined is the location to which the group was headed. There is no historical evidence of any trade routes to Tibet in the area or any places of pilgrimage.

External links

• "Fathoming the ancient remains of Roopkund", by Anikat Alim, icast.org.in
• "Roopkund – The Lure of Indian Wilderness", junglelure.com
• "Roopkund lake skeletons may be of Indian origin", Deccan Herald, 25 January 2005.
• "Documentary on Roopkund Lake tragedy", Mid-Day, 29 October 2004.