AMKHLOO, Nongtalang (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

One out of two distinct cave entrances is fully ignored whilst the other is represented by an estimated 3 m by 4 m large, apparently almost square shaped rift cave entrance (unidentified orientation, unidentified peculiar characteristics), which functions as a seasonal spring of water and gives access to one or several cave passages, where sports cavers -surveyed- a lengthwise measured distance of 75 m at a verticle (sic!) range of 21.6 m (Boyes, P W 2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) but failed to produce any cave survey (cave plan). The cave, which can be expected to drain towards the Um Tyrngai valley in the south-east, seems to have formed in a calcareous facies of the Upper Cretaceous (Maestrichtian) Langpar Formation (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: The Amwi Khasi -amkhloo- (note 2) is the same as the standard Khasi -umkhlaw- (ka um + ka khlaw), translates literally as jungle stream and can be expected to be found at more or less one thousand and one different places as, for example, is the case withKrem –>Amkhloo, Pdengshakap and Krem –>Amkhloo, Syndai. SITUATION: Boyes, P W (2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) makes clear to have understood that the cave entrance to Krem Amkhloo lies not only in an unspecified setting and at an inexplicable location (note 3) but also in an unspecified spatial relation to any point in the village of Nongtalang (note 4) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2000a: The so-called rift entrance is about 3 m by 4 m large and once was comparatively strongly draughting but without comparison for scale. Strange enough, the dry season resurgence [sic!] is low passage in deep water under boulders, below main entrance (Boyes, P W 2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow; BOYES, P W 2000 s.a.: 4, 7). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2000b: The large upper entrance of Krem Amkllow was choked a few metres in by large boulders, but draughting well. The lower passage was Mendip type wet passage with nasty bits. It choked with the water coming through boulders (Boyes, P W 2000.02.18 Mss: Expedition diary ). CULTURAL HISTORY -human use: The cave or, perhaps, the stream is said to have been used as a fishing fishing ground during the dry season (note 5). CAVE CLIMATE: Boyes, P W (2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) observed on 18th February 2000 an an unidentified time at the upper entrance an air current (air flow) and recorded a high level entrance choked with boulders but draughting strongly. CAVE LIFE: Boyes, P W (2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) recorded not only relativelylarge frogs (Anura spp.) of inexplicable size but also fish, possibly trout (Pisces).Krem –>Amkhloo, Pdengshakap and Krem –>Amkhloo, Syndai. SITUATION: Boyes, P W (2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) makes clear to have understood that the cave entrance to Krem Amkhloo lies not only in an unspecified setting and at an inexplicable location (note 3) but also in an unspecified spatial relation to any point in the village of Nongtalang (note 4) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2000a: The so-called rift entrance is about 3 m by 4 m large and once was comparatively strongly draughting but without comparison for scale. Strange enough, the dry season resurgence [sic!] is low passage in deep water under boulders, below main entrance (Boyes, P W 2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow; BOYES, P W 2000 s.a.: 4, 7). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2000b: The large upper entrance of Krem Amkllow was choked a few metres in by large boulders, but draughting well. The lower passage was Mendip type wet passage with nasty bits. It choked with the water coming through boulders (Boyes, P W 2000.02.18 Mss: Expedition diary ). CULTURAL HISTORY -human use: The cave or, perhaps, the stream is said to have been used as a fishing fishing ground during the dry season (note 5). CAVE CLIMATE: Boyes, P W (2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) observed on 18th February 2000 an an unidentified time at the upper entrance an air current (air flow) and recorded a high level entrance choked with boulders but draughting strongly. CAVE LIFE: Boyes, P W (2000.02.18 Mss: Amkllow) recorded not only relativelylarge frogs (Anura spp.) of inexplicable size but also fish, possibly trout (Pisces).