Integrating Folktales in Archaeological Investigations: A Study from Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalayas

The study probes into archaeological exploration carried out in two places — Daramdin and Samanden in the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalayas. The site of exploration is selected based on place names mentioned in the folktales of the Lepchas. In this regard, two folktales are considered – Rumlyang Tungrong, which is premised in Daramdin, Sikkim and the legend of Sokpa Dhunga in Samanden, Darjeeling. Investigations evinced finds of potsherds strewn across the terraces of Daramdin and an erected stone in Samanden. As for the analysis of pottery sherds, the data set collected exhibited limitations in strength, due to which scientific analytical techniques like XRD and EDX were employed to understand the provenance and pottery production methods. Meanwhile, for the erected stone in Samanden, the material manifestation of the folktale allowed us to discuss the efficacy of the folktales in aiding investigations in finding potential archaeological sites.