UMSUTIANG (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A juvenile sink leads via a series of small pitches and tubes into a breakdown chamber followed by a large … [note 1] cavern 10 m by 10 m by 20 m deep (Sheen 2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05). SITUATION (Sheen 2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05): From Shnongrim village walk on a well defined trail [note 2] to Manar [note 3] approximately 2 km ESE. The entrance to the cave lies in a gully [no name mentioned] 100 m S/W of Manar peak (note 4) and either 100 m east (Sheen 2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05) or 178 m north of Krem Lumjingtep (±12 m, Robin Sheen, 2005.02.21, Garmin Etrex). PROSPECTS: Sheen (2005.02.23 Mss: Umsutiang) considered the Furthest point reached was very unstable. However the strong draught [sic!] on the way in would indicate a possible connection a possible connection with Krem Iawe. Worth another look. Air-current combined with packs of large spiders are usually regarded to indicate a close surface in the open air. In 2008, Sheen (2008.02.06 Mss: Um Sutiang) had … attempted to psh the boulder choke downwards following the draught without success. Brown, M.W. et al. (2008 Mss: -Meghalaya 2008 diary- Wednesday 6th February) tell a story according to which it were R.F. Sheen, Axel Rosen, Joel Beauchamp and Ksan Kupar 'Ronnie' Mawlong, who … laddered down to the old boulder choke and systematically searched it for the stream and draught. They were stopped by a squeeze (too tight) with clean-washed passage visible beyond. In the face of this impenetrable but nevertheless obvious continuation, Sheen (2008.02.06 Mss: Um Sutiang) arrives at considering this cave finished (sic!). CULTURAL HISTORY: Sheen (2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05): Here (according to our guides) are the remains of an earthen defensive wall protecting the small plateau of Manar. On a promontary lie the remains of an old village and according to Mendar (the local pastor) the foundations of a church? This natural defensive location has a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view of the Litein valley an beyond. Ringfort embankments and many stonework remains can be seen. According to Mendar [Menda / Mende Syih] and Hyporme [Heipormi Pajuh] this is the original location of Shnongrim village before a plague prompted the inhabitants to abandon it. The area in general is known as Warim or -old place- [note 5]. Coincidentally the Wah [stream] that leads off is named Wah Sutiang –a word that Hyporme does not recognise as being Pnar– [note 6] a name that may have lent itself to the fabled Jaintia fort of Kot Sutiang not far distant? It is feasible that this place has some pre-Christian significance; certainly this site provides a wonderful natural defensive position. CAVE CLIMATE: Sheen (2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05) had noticed an air current and recorded A strong draught is evident until the breakdown chamber. CAVE LIFE: Sheen (2005.08.20 Mss): Packs of large spiders (Arachnidae: Aranea: Sparassidae: conf. Heteropoda sp.).sh the boulder choke downwards following the draught without success. Brown, M.W. et al. (2008 Mss: -Meghalaya 2008 diary- Wednesday 6th February) tell a story according to which it were R.F. Sheen, Axel Rosen, Joel Beauchamp and Ksan Kupar 'Ronnie' Mawlong, who … laddered down to the old boulder choke and systematically searched it for the stream and draught. They were stopped by a squeeze (too tight) with clean-washed passage visible beyond. In the face of this impenetrable but nevertheless obvious continuation, Sheen (2008.02.06 Mss: Um Sutiang) arrives at considering this cave finished (sic!). CULTURAL HISTORY: Sheen (2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05): Here (according to our guides) are the remains of an earthen defensive wall protecting the small plateau of Manar. On a promontary lie the remains of an old village and according to Mendar (the local pastor) the foundations of a church? This natural defensive location has a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view of the Litein valley an beyond. Ringfort embankments and many stonework remains can be seen. According to Mendar [Menda / Mende Syih] and Hyporme [Heipormi Pajuh] this is the original location of Shnongrim village before a plague prompted the inhabitants to abandon it. The area in general is known as Warim or -old place- [note 5]. Coincidentally the Wah [stream] that leads off is named Wah Sutiang –a word that Hyporme does not recognise as being Pnar– [note 6] a name that may have lent itself to the fabled Jaintia fort of Kot Sutiang not far distant? It is feasible that this place has some pre-Christian significance; certainly this site provides a wonderful natural defensive position. CAVE CLIMATE: Sheen (2005.08.20 Mss: Meghalaya 05) had noticed an air current and recorded A strong draught is evident until the breakdown chamber. CAVE LIFE: Sheen (2005.08.20 Mss): Packs of large spiders (Arachnidae: Aranea: Sparassidae: conf. Heteropoda sp.).