Field guides / Gilgit-Baltistan / Thalpan Rock Carving
Field guide · Heritage
Thalpan Rock Carving
Thalpan, located in the Diamer District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is a significant archaeological site with rock carvings dating from the 9th-8th millennium BCE to the post- Buddhist period.
Situated near Chilas along the upper Indus Valley, the site features carvings on rocks and boulders, including prehistoric animal scenes, such as a two-tailed predator hunting a stag. Notable carvings include the "altar rock" with depictions of Persian-dressed men and a sacrificial scene. Buddhist-themed carvings, including Jataka tales and images of stupas, further highlight its cultural importance. Thalpan is a private, unprotected site, with findings published in 2017 by the Baltistan Culture and Development Foundation.
Why go
- ✦Buddhist heritage
- ✦Gandhara archaeology
- ✦history
Current Condition
The Thalpan Rock Carvings near Chilas face submersion threats from the Dasu Dam, with no active conservation measures in place. Managed nominally by the Gilgit-Baltistan Archaeology Department, these ancient petroglyphs lack emergency documentation or relocation plans. Urgent intervention by federal and provincial authorities is needed to preserve this UNESCO- recognized heritage before irreversible loss occurs.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, Year-round; confirm local conditions and any festival dates before travel.
Getting there, In or near Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan; confirm current local access before visiting.
