MONGZU KHI

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Three east facing cave entrances (1.2 m wide and 1.2 m high, 1.4 m wide and 1.2 mhigh, 2.5 m wide and 1.2 m high) illuminate shallow, daylight-lit niches with smooth walls. The three -undercuts- occur in a multiple layered sedimentary rock (arenaceous mudstone?) which dips by about 30° to the north (010°) and away from the entrances. EVALUATION: Dr. Rosario Ruggieri (Centro Ibleo Idrologiche) ascribed the origin of the three cavelets to the action of wind and water (personal communication 2002.12.28). Local lithological peculiarities (-geodes- less resistent than the host rock) seem have crumbled away due differential weathering combined with pressure by gravitational load. ETYMOLOGY: The Ao -mongzu- was said to signify an eagle but may mean vulture. SITUATION: In an about 30 m high cliff (overlooking one Panchabiong valley or area) which lies about ten minutes on foot (690 m in a direct line west / 285°) from the village of Longkhum or Lungkam (note 1), which itself lies about 17 km long the road (in December 2002 about 30 minutes by car) from Mokokchung in a south-westerly direction, on the road towards Wokha and Kohima).long the road (in December 2002 about 30 minutes by car) from Mokokchung in a south-westerly direction, on the road towards Wokha and Kohima).