Wild life in Ancient Khingar, Mustang. Archaeological evidence for locally extinct animal species in the Dzong Khola Valley, Northern Nepal

Abstract

Faunal analyses carried out in the settlement mound of Khingar, evidence the presence of a series of macromammalian species whose habitat optima do not correspond with the present landscape of the area. Assuming that the hunting and breeding of these species took place not far from the site itself, such inconsistency can best be accounted for through habitat changes, in particular deforestation, brought about as a combination of human and domestic animal activities.