Kashmir’s ‘Russia cave’ myth debunked

Srinagar, Jul 22: Tucked away in the forested hills of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, ancient mines and a carved rock formation—locally known as Satbarren—are offering a rare glimpse into the region’s geological and cultural heritage, while dispelling long-held myths that the area’s caves connect to Russia.

A recent study titled “Geo-heritage and Geo-tourism Potential of Kalaruch Old Workings (Ancient Mines) and Satbarren (Archaeological Stone) in Kashmir Valley of Himalaya” by geologists Riyaz Ahmad Mir, Syed Ajaz Ahmad, Vaseem Akram and Vinod Kumar, published in the journal Geo-heritage, highlights the geo-heritage and geo-tourism potential of the Kalaroos (also known as Kalaruch) area, known for its rugged terrain and mineral-rich formations.

At the heart of the findings is a 3.5-kilometer stretch of abandoned ancient mines, or “old workings,” along a mineralized quartz vein extending from Madmadou-Lashteal-Lainat Top to Gagarna.

“These are not natural caves but remnants of ancient mining activity,” said Mir, one of the authors of the study and a geologist at the National Institute of Hydrology in Jammu.

They are shallow pits—none deeper than 50 meters—marked by sulfide mineralization such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite and azurite.”

The excavations, researchers estimate, date back to between 3300 and 1000 B.C., and are part of the Lolab Formation, attributed to the Lower Cambrian period—a key transitional era between the Precambrian and Cambrian. Local folklore long claimed the caves stretched all the way to Russia, but  geologists say there is no evidence supporting the idea. “There are around 8 to 12 pits, scattered across steep, forested slopes and mostly inaccessible to casual visitors,” Mir said. Adding an archaeological dimension to the site is Satbarren, a half-buried slaty boulder marked by nine shallow, shelf-like recesses.

Though local legends suggest mystical or navigational purposes, researchers believe the carvings had ritualistic or utilitarian functions, possibly linked to the mining culture of ancient inhabitants.

“The site offers rare insight into the intersection of geology, human history and cultural expression,” said Mir. “It’s a living archive of early resource extraction and craftsmanship.” Experts are calling for geo-conservation efforts and sustainable development of the area into a geo-tourism destination.

Such initiatives, they say, could preserve the unique landscape while promoting education and economic growth for nearby communities.

“In truth, the Kalaroos  caves do not lead to distant lands,” said co-researcher Syed Ajaz. “Instead, they tell the story of early human ingenuity—shaped by tools, minerals and the legacy of an ancient civilization