Tibetan and Himalayan Library - THL

II.2. Superficial structures: Primarily funerary superstructure

Chutiku MönkhangChu thig’u mon khang

Basic site data

• Site name: Chutiku MönkhangChu thig’u mon khang (sp.?)
• Site number: D-118
• Site typology: II.2c
• Elevation: 4990 m
• Administrative location (township): Ombu’Om bu
• Administrative location (county): GegyéDge rgyas
• Survey expedition: TUE
• Survey date: September 22, 2005
• Contemporary usage: Light grazing.
• Identifiable Buddhist constructions: None.
• Maps: UTRS VI
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General site characteristics

Chutiku MönkhangChu thig’u mon khang is located on a high shelf in the Gegyé LhomaDge rgyas lho ma region. It is situated directly south of Dawen Rolpa KyadünDa dben rol pa skya bdun, a lofty and important territorial deity (yüllhayul lha) in the adjacent ZhungpaGzhung pa region. A rocky ridge encloses the north side of the site, while the views are quite open to the east and south. The terrain is fairly level, sandy and gravelly. Chutiku MönkhangChu thig’u mon khang consists of two large heaped-stone wall funerary enclosures. The perimeter walls are composed of uncut blocky pieces of white granite (10 cm to 80 cm long). The two enclosures appear to have interiors devoid of structural elements. Like other sites of this typology, the perimeter walls have undergone a considerable degree of subsidence and dissolution. The many dislodged stones on the site indicate that these funerary enclosures were considerably more substantial than they now appear.

The relative locations of Chutiku MönkhangChu thig’u mon khang and the Dawen Rolpa KyadünDa dben rol pa skya bdun range (maximum elevation 6282 m) may have had eschatological significance for the builders and users of the archaeological site. Perhaps Dawen Rolpa KyadünDa dben rol pa skya bdun was seen as a protector of the funerary monuments and/or of those interred in them. The range may also have functioned as the celestial final resting place of the dead.

Oral tradition

According to local sources, Chutiku MönkhangChu thig’u mon khang was constructed by the ancient MönMon.

Site elements

Funerary sructure FS1

Funerary sructure FS1 (30 m by 17 m) is comprised of five interconnected ovoid cells. Each cell has a slightly depressed interior. On the south side of FS1 there are two large upright stones embedded in the ground. These stones have a north-south alignment. What may be the remains of another cell are found immediately northwest of FS1.

Funerary sructure FS2

Funerary sructure FS2 (13.4 m by 16 m) is situated 11.7 m east of FS1. This sub-rectangular enclosure has a depressed interior. The north side of the structure is set 50 cm below the adjoining slope. Immediately southwest of FS2 are the vestiges of a wall that may have been part of another cell. There are also minor structural remains in the vicinity.