PREHISTORY.

Bhutan’s prehistoric period of which there is neither ethnic, pale botanic, geographic or physiographic record, fell roughly between 500BC and AD500. Fire, earthquake, flood and internecine warfare unfortunately destroyed whatever records once may have existed. The accidental burning in 1832 of the dzong (monastery-fortress) in Punakha, at that time was the capitals of Bhutan, and the widespread destruction caused at the same site by an earthquake in 1897 were especially responsible for the destruction of Bhutanese historical documents related to the period. However, a number of stone stools and megaliths available suggest that Bhutan was populated from a relatively early age, probably around 2000- 1500 BC.

Little is known about the early history of Bhutan. From the available artifacts preserved in a small number of ancient monasteries, we find that Bonism, a shamanistic ritual, was followed in the Bhutan prior to the advent of Buddhism. The Bon tradition and rituals are still practiced in some parts of Bhutan during the celebration of local festivals.