Roopkund Lake (Uttarkhand region India) is a small lake of about 40 meters wide standing at an altitude of 5029 meters and located in the Himalayan mountains. The lake is known for the skeletons that are scattered around it. It is estimated that around 800 skeletons have been found. What a mystery? Why did all these people die in this inhospitable area?

Until recently, the most accepted theory has been that all these people were taking part on the Nanda Devi Raj Jat pilgrimage and died during some accident, such as an avalanche, rockfall or landslide or due to extreme weather conditions. Local tradition also speaks of a pilgrimage that reached the area. The “over-the-top celebrations” of the group were considered as a sign of disrespect by goddess Nanda Devi. Nanda Devi killed the pilgrims by striking them with iron balls from the sky.

Research recently published (August 20th, 2019) from the Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad concludes that the bones found in the area are not from the same time nor ethnic group. In other words, these findings indicate that the people that died around the lake did not die in the same moment in time and were not local.

Specifically the investigation found 23 individuals (group A) with south Asian origin (corresponding to modern day India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh) whose bones were deposited in the area around 800 AD (7th to 10th century) but in more than one event. A further 14 individuals (group B) showed to have Greek and Cretan (Crete: island in southern Greece) ancestry. Group B died around 1800 AD (17th to 20th century). One more individual was identified as east Asian matching the date range of group B.

The cause of death for the men and women found around the lake remain unexplained. Disease and a violent acts have both been ruled-out as evidence shows that the victims were healthy and there are no signs of violence or weapon remains. The DNA study also showed that the groups were not comprised by families. Also, the 1000 years of difference between the Indian and the Greek group indicates that the remains of so many skeletons were not caused by a single event.

How did group B end up in Roopkund lake? The lake is not on any trade route so the group were unlikely to be merchants. Could they have been local to the broader area with Greek ancestry from the time of Alexander the Great (like the Kalash ethnic group)? Well the study discards this scenario as the DNA analysis did not show the expected genetic mix one would expect after so many years since the time of Alexander the Great. Group B most probably lived during the time when Greece was under Ottoman rule and according to the dietary analysis undertaken they lived inland. During that time Hindu pilgrimages and India were unheard of by the average Greek person. Group B is most probably a special set of people who reached the lake with a specific objective.

Were they on a pilgrimage or in search of something? Could they have been taken there against their will? Who knows? The enigma continues. Let´s see if scientists can provide further clues in the future.

Sources:

Ancient DNA from the skeletons of Roopkund Lake reveals Mediterranean migrants in India. Nature Communications volume 10, Article number: 3670 (2019) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-11357-9

Photo by Ashokyadav739 CC BY-SA 4.0