Basic site data

• Site name: Bültang Doring
• English equivalent: Soda Plain Long-stones
• Site number: C-98
• Site typology: II.1b
• Elevation: 4390 m
• Administrative location (township): Oma
• Administrative location (county): Gertsé
• Survey expedition: UTAE
• Survey date: June 7, 2001
• Contemporary usage: Light grazing.
• Identifiable Buddhist constructions: None.
• Maps: UTRS VI, HAS A3
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General site characteristics

Bültang DoringBul thang rdo ring is located less than 300 m south of the main road running between Oma’O ma and GertséSger rtse. The terrain is gently inclined and strewn with small rocks and gravel. From the site there is a very long vista to the east and sweeping views to the north has well. The south and west directions, however, are constrained by the proximate ridge system. The site consists of a single pillar erected inside an enclosure.

Oral tradition

According to local sources in the village of LhaktongpaLhag mthong pa, Bültang DoringBul thang rdo ring appeared with the rise of existence.

Site elements

Enclosure

The double-course enclosure is roughly aligned in the cardinal directions. It measures 11 m (east to west) by 12.5 m (east wall) and 14.5 m (west wall). This enclosure is unusual for having longer dimensions north-south than east-west. The walls of the perimeter (around 50 cm thick) contain uncut slabs and some blockwork (20 cm to 85 cm long) inserted into the ground edgewise. A few of the slabs are as little as 2 cm in thickness. The stones of the walls protrude as much as 25 cm above ground level. Little of the enclosing walls have survived. There is a 3.3 m long south wall segment intact near the east corner of the enclosure and the west half of the north wall is largely in place. The mostly intact east wall had one or possibly even three openings, which were not evenly spaced. The most recognizable “portal” has a 50 cm long stone running perpendicular to the wall course making up one side of it and two stones (combined length 55 cm) on the other side. The gap thus formed is 30 cm in width.

Pillar

The lone in situ pillar (1.2 m [height] by 95 cm [basal girth]) was erected near what was the inner edge of the west wall of the enclosure (this wall has been obliterated). This stele of four irregular sides has a grayish to purplish hue. Also near the west end of the enclosure there are two smaller broken pillars. One specimen is snapped off at ground level while the other one still retains 30 cm of its height.

Affiliated sites

In the environs of the small permanent settlement of LhaktongpaLhag mthong pa (32° 23.689΄ N. lat. / 83° 36.688΄ / 4420 m) there used to be a small ancient pillar. This information was collected from the local ngakpa, Karma ChömpelKarma chos ’phel (born circa 1924), his wife and other elders.