GILGIT: The first probable evidence of early Christian presence in Skardu was discovered on a mountain by an expedition team from the University of Baltistan, it was announced on Sunday.

The research and expedition team of Professor Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan, Dr Zakir Hussain Zakir and Dr Ishtiaq Hussain Maqpoon visited the site to study an ancient Christian cross along with local villagers and mountain guides.

The huge cross made of marble rock material and weighing more than three to four tonnes (approximately seven by six feet in size), was found around two kilometres from the base camp located high in the mountains of Kavardo village in Skardu of Baltistan division, overlooking the River Indus, the team said.

The Christian cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is the best-known symbol of Christianity.

According to the team, the cross could be 900-1,000 years old, perhaps signifying the time when Buddhism was in decline in the region and Islam was to later emerge in the Himalayan and Karakoram valleys.

This first-ever discovery of such a relic in Baltistan marks the association of this land with Christianity.

While Kavardo village is said to have come into existence 1,500 years ago, the researchers said they are assuming the rock of which the cross is made up of could be even older going as far back as the Middle Ages.

They further said that the design of the ancient cross, with unequal arms, seems influenced by Buddhist carving traditions and could be the work of Buddhist converts.

Dr Zakir of the expedition team was of the opinion that this discovery could indicate the presence of Europeans in these valleys.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2020