Recent archaeological discoveries in Tibet will go some way towards providing insights into ancient Tibetan societies, according to the Xinhua news agency. A haul of 37 groups, including stoneware, tombs and military watchtowers, was found along the high altitude Qinghai-Tibet railway and provides the first evidence that Tibetans may have hunted and farmed at heights of around 16,500 feet (5,000 metres). A large site containing sacrificial relics excavated in Nagqu County was also the first find of its kind in Tibet, and a stoneware deposit in Damxung County was the largest ever discovered.
     The sacrificial relics, together with a megalithic circle 12.2 feet (3.7 metres) in diameter, are expected to reveal more about pre-Buddhist religion in Tibet. Historical records show that ancient Tibetans worshipped spirits associated with sacred stones, megaliths, woods and lakes. The megalithic circle was found close to a lake in Amdo County which is believed to have been used in lake worship.

Source: Discovery Channel (23 June 2003)