5000-year-old rock found in Kashmir, likely to be the oldest depiction of a supernova

5000-year-old stone has been recently discovered by researchers in the Burzahama region of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the scientists, the markings found on the stone are the oldest evidence of a supernova found in human history.
The markings found on the old rock in Kashmir depict a hunting scene and two bright objects in the sky. No written records or pictorial description is available to consult or decipher the meaning of the markings. Scientists are of the view that the rock dates back to 2100 BC; and since nobody was aware of its importance, the rock was later reused in the construction of a structure.

Astrophysicist Mayank Vahia and his colleagues at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, however, believe that since the history of Burzahama is likely to be as old as 4100 BC, the new found rock must have been 5000 years old.

Scientists are now trying to decode the message engraved on the rock. While some are linking the markings to that of sun and moon, others think those might depict some kind of mythological story. The theory of sun and moon has been negated though on account of the proximity of two objects on the markings, and also because of the fact that moon should appear less bright when it is nearer to the sun.

Vahia and his team, however, after some research learned that the supernova likely appeared between 4100 BC and 2100 BC. As per their findings, supernova HB9 exploded around 3600 BC, making it possible that the drawing might be related to the same supernova. They also believe that the markings signify a sky map, and there is more possibility of finding similar stones in the region.