Tibetan and Himalayan Library - THL

II.2. Superficial structures: Primarily funerary superstructure

Tratsang MöndurKhra tshang mon dur

Basic site data

• Site name: Tratsang MöndurKhra tshang mon dur
• English equivalent: Hawk Nest MönMon Tombs
• Site number: D-71
• Site typology: II.2b
• Elevation: 4770 m
• Administrative location (township): KemarSked dmar
• Administrative location (county): Drongpa’Brong pa
• Survey expedition: HTCE
• Survey date: June 17, 2002
• Contemporary usage: Light grazing.
• Identifiable Buddhist constructions: None.
• Maps: UTRS VII, UTRS XI
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General site characteristics

Tratsang MöndurKhra tshang mon dur is located a couple kilometers upstream of the mouth of the TratsangKhra tshang valley. The site is near the north edge of the valley and the ground is level, sandy and gravelly. It consists of two poorly preserved funerary enclosures. A nearby seasonal shepherd’s encampment and its need for stones may have contributed to the demise of Tratsang MöndurKhra tshang mon dur.

Oral tradition

In this region (MegaMe sga) sites such as Tratsang MöndurKhra tshang mon dur are commonly believed to be ancient MönMon tombs.

Site elements

Funerary Structure FS1

Funerary structure FS1 has been reduced to small double-course wall fragments (50 cm thick). These walls are composed of stones 20 cm to 30 cm in length, which are flush with the ground surface or that are raised above it to a maximum height of 20 cm. FS1 is slightly elevated above the surrounding plain. It appears to have been subdivided into at least three sections.

Funerary Structure FS2

Funerary structure FS2 (approximately 5 m across) is situated 47 m east of FS1. This enclosure is in very poor condition. Stones up to 55 cm in length that project upwards of 25 cm above ground level make up this structure. It appears to have been aligned in the cardinal directions and to have been subdivided into various parts.