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Field guides / Gilgit-Baltistan / Thalpan Rock Carving
Field guide · Heritage
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
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.
Straight-line distance from Thalpan Rock Carving, within 30 km.
