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Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c7.s13: Points

Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c7.s13

Language
English

Contents

Points

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The points are further sub-divided into:

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(a) Simple Points ... ... ... (73·8%, 44)
(b) Tanged Points ... ... ... (26·7%, 16).

Simple Points

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The first—simple points—may be further split up into a number of groups according to the nature (core or flake), shape, position of the bulb (if any) and nature of retouch. This will give a large number of sub-groups¹⁹ and an insight into the character of the industry. Suffice, here, to emphasize the fact that its makers have not been particular in having only certain kinds or types of cores or flakes. Any suitable piece of stone was used. It is this aspect which is sought to illustrate while citing the specimens.

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¹⁹ BANERJEE, op. cit.

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(1) Thin, leaf-shaped point on a Levallois-like flake, simple faceted platform, but the upper surface has a very shallow roughly parallel-sided flake scar ending in a point; wavy edge on both sides marked by scalloped and flattish irregular retouch from either surface. The tool may also pass off as a scraper-cum-borer, if held horizontally; for one of the longer or lateral undersides has two tiny notches removed to give a small borer-tip. But this process was never completed. No. 283, Nevasa (NVS), Loc. II, surface, brownish jasper.²⁰ (2) Sub-triangular point on a thick Levallois-like flake, about 90° angle, platform faceted, diffused bulb. Upper surface has a regular mid-ridge, almost up to the butt, which has shallow scars probably to facilitate hafting. Rest of the three sides bear steep minute retouches from the upper side. No. 118, Kalegaon (KG), in situ gravel, mottled jasper.

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18a I.A.R. 1956-57, p. 11 and Fig. 5.

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18b I.A.R., 1960-61, pp. 63-64.

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²⁰ See, SANKALIA, H. D., A.I., No. 12 (1956), p. 49, fig. 10, no. 283 and BANERJEE, op. cit., p. 158, pl. 4 d. It may be mentioned that this was the first definite tool type, which led to the later systematic investigation at Nevasa.

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(3) Small triangular point on a flake, with uneven undersurface, mid-ridge on the upper, with a sloping flaked butt. No. 825, Bel Pandhari (BPD), coarse quartz with greenish specks.

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(4) Small, roughly oval point on flake, bulb portion steeply flaked away from the under-side. Upper has a mid-ridge, which is partly removed at the pointed end. Steeply retouched on both sides, but the left has a thick encrustation. No 880, BPD, in situ gravel, greenish jasper.

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(5) Small point on a flat, heart-shaped, Levallois-like flake, faceted butt, 90° angle. A broad angular point achieved by two shallow flakes on the angular side. No, 118, NVS, fleshy jasper.

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Tanged Points (Fig. 38)

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These are indeed rare and probably the first of their kind to be recorded from India. Compared to the Aterian, these are very crude, both the workmanship on the tang as well as on the tip of the point. But the conception was there and can be seen even in scrapers. Two types are distinguished: (a) Single-shouldered (b) Double-shouldered.

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One each from a group of seven and nine respectively are here illustrated.

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Single-shouldered Point

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(6) A small triangular flattish flake having cortex on the longer side. From the under-surface a large flake was (perhaps previously) removed, giving a flat surface. This tip was then retouched so as to give a point. On the upper surface, from one side of the butt, small notches have created a shoulder. This could be for scraping also! No. 389, BPD, green jasper.

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Double-shouldered Point or Borer (?)

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(7) An elongated flake of Levallois type having a simple platform. 90° angle with two or three shallow longish flakes removed from the tip near the bulbar end. Deep scar on the top centre. Tang or the borer point fairly elongated and made by deep notches on one side, the other looks angular.

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Since one of the longer sides is retouched, the tool could have been a scraper. But most probably, looking to the bulbar end, and the deep scar (which facilitated handling) it appears to be a borer. And the illustration is given accordingly. Calcareous encrustation on one side of the tang or borer point. No. 49, NVS, green jasper.

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Borers (Fig. 39)

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As in Points, a naturally pointed piece—nodule, core, or a flake—was taken and with a little or elaborate retouch (which includes primary removal of the notches on either side of the point and subsequent finer work on it) an excellent borer was prepared. Four specimens illustrate the main types.

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Borer on Flake

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(1) Roughly oval Levallois-like flake with a well elongated and thin borer point. This is achieved by notches on either side of the point and on the front of the under surface. Borer-tip further retouched. No. 1, DC (Deccan College compound), glossy carnelian.

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1

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2

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3

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4

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5

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6

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7

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Fig. 35. Points and Scrapers, Maharashtra (1/1)

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1

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3

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5

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2

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4

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6

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Fig. 39. Borers and Scrapers, Maharashtra (1/1).

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(2) Borer on large sub-rectangular flake.²¹ The upper surface has two natural facets and one large flake scar; underside primary flake surface, the pointed end hollowed on either side, the longer one being marked by a few bold steep retouches. One straight side bears signs of use. No. 174, KG, *in situ* gravel, banded jasper.

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²¹ BANERJEE, *op. cit.*, p. 202, pl. 14, b.

Borer on Core or Nodule

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(3) Thick rectangular piece with flattish undersurface, steep sides and uneven upper surface with patches of cortex has been converted into an efficient borer by two deep notches at the pointed end, and the edges have been later perfunctorily retouched. The curved front midridge seems to have been retouched. Chandoli,²² mottled greenish-red jasper.

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²² On the Ghod River, Poona District. Found on 11-1-1961. The material is identical in every respect with that of the point from Kalegaon.

Borer on Side Flake

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Usually the borer point is at right angles to the longer axis of the tool with a shorter butt-end, but in a number of cases this point is opposite the longer side which is often very thick and serves as a convenient handhold. The specimen described below is of this type.

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(4) Borer on thick flake, having bulb and simple platform; the thinner side has a short borer point, by retouching steeply from the upper side of one notch and by retouching from the underside on the other notch; for the thumb-hold a fairly deep flake is removed from the upper surface and the thick back. No. 207, KG *in situ* gravel, jasper.

Borer-cum-Scraper

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(5) This is one of the most notable tools in the collecton from Nevasa region. Two deep notches were made on the adjacent sides of a quadrilateral piece. This has given three projections. The main concavities upto the tip of the projection are steeply retouched resulting in double-hollow and triple point borer. Such tools must have been used as spokeshaves for smoothing the shafts of the spear-heads (or arrow-heads).²³ No. 887 BPD, red jasper.

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²³ BANERJEE, *op. cit.*, p. 210, pl. 14, 9, and SANKALIA *et. al.* FHPN (From History to Prehistory at Nevasa) fig. 60, no. 10, (The site number differs).

Scraper

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Not only is the percentage of scrapers large, but there are a number of varieties. The main groups are: (*a*) Side scraper, (*b*) End scraper, (*c*) Hollow scraper, (*d*) Round scraper, (*e*) Point scraper and (*f*) Borer-cum-scraper.

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The last two have been already described while dealing with these two types of tools. Here the main scraper types are given.

Side Scraper

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As the name signifies, the scraper edge is on one (lateral) side, parallel to the long axis of the tool, the opposite side being thick or thin and straight or rounded (as in a crescent) or even angular. Thus the exact description of the tool might vary, depending upon the shape.

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(6) Side scraper on a thick large crescentic end flake. Slightly rolled, so that the edge which has three or four irregular retouches looks thick and dull. The back or the curved side is very thick and is also deeply flaked. The tool looks like a macrolunate or crescent and even larger ones have been reported from the Tapi and Waiganga Valleys. No. 150, BPD, greenish jasper.

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1

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6

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2

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3

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5

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4

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Fig. 40. Scrapers, Maharashtra (1/1).

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*End Scrapers* (Fig. 40)

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These are on thick, or thin, flat-based pieces, not necessarily specially made flakes.

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(1) End scraper on a thick flake. Only the front fan-shaped, convex side is retouched in a rather large, but regular retouch. No. 124, BPD, greenish jasper.

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*Hollow Scrapers*

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These are on thin or thick flat-based pieces which may be flakes, cores or nodules. At times both the hollow front and the hollow back or straight sides are also retouched, giving us a double-edged hollow scraper.

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(2) A fine double-edged hollow scraper on a flat Levallois-like end-flake, having a faceted butt. The thick curved back is specially prepared and further retouched, as also the front hollow edge. No. 554,²⁴ NVS, Loc. II, *in situ* gravel bed II. Chert (partly patinated).

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²⁴ See SANKALIA, *A.I.*, No. 12, p. 47, fig. 9.

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*Double-edged Side Scrapers*

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(3) Hollow and Side Scraper on a thick crescentic end flake, unfaceted platform, bulb and some portion erased. The curved back is steeply retouched either for hafting or for scraping. The opposite side was either hollowed or was naturally so, but has been subsequently retouched. Fine specimen. No. 816, NVS, greenish chalcedony.

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(4) Fine blade-like end flake, which has been further slightly cross flaked on the underside at the butt, and on the upper at the shorter end, has been extensively retouched (though partly the edge looks battered due to use) on both the longer sides from the upper surface. No. 468, NVS, Loc. I, *in situ* gravel III; brownish mottled chalcedony.

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(5) Side Scraper on a thick long blade-like flake. One of the lateral sides retains cortex, but the other slopes steeply and has been likewise retouched, No. 150, BPD, mottled jasper.

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*Round Scraper*

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(6) On a thin, roundish, perfect Levallois flake, having a faceted platform, and a thin triangular flake from the upper surface, removed while trimming the core. The edges all round have been partly retouched. No. 874, Loc. I, NVS, mottled greenish yellow chert.

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*Karnatak*

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In North Karnatak so far only one or two stratified sites are known, the most important being Taminhal (TH) and Almatti (AM). At Bagalkot (BGKT) a thick loose deposit of second smaller gravel rests over and against the older gravel, which is also loose and spread in the river bed.²⁶ᵃ

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²⁶ Ibid., p. 49, fig. 10.

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BANERJEE²⁷ notes that the Karnatak Middle Palaeolithic Industry (called "Karnatak Nevasian" by him), is characterized by a high percentage of irregular flakes, cores, and nodules, the main tool types being points having various sub-types and some showing incipient or ill-developed tang, scrapers, borers, borer-cum-scrapers, flakes and cores. The borer or borer-cum-scraper is once again the most prominent tool in the industry.

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²⁵ Ibid.

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26a Very interesting tools have been reported from Salvadgi etc. in Bijapur District. Some of these were exhibited by Dr. SESHADRI in New Delhi last year. If found in a stratified context, these will add materially to our knowledge of this and the succeeding culture. *I.A.R.*, 1960-61, p. 64.

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²⁷ BANERJEE, op. cit., p. 255, pl. 6, g.

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4

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1

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2

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3

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Fig. 41. Points, Borers and Scrapers, Karnatak (1/1).

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1

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3

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2

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Fig. 42. Scrapers, Karnatak (1/1).

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Percentage

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Of the total collection, regular tool types form 24.1% and fall into three groups:

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| I | Points | ... | ... | ... | 12.7% |
| II | Scrapers | ... | ... | ... | 39.1% |
| III | Borers | ... | ... | ... | 47.8% |

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The following tools are illustrated (Fig. 41).

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Points

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(1) Point-cum-Scraper: on a naturally pointed, ovalish, leaf-like flake which by slight retouch on one side and at the butt-end to facilitate hafting, has been converted into a tool. Since one side is thick, it is possible that it was a scraper. Note the cortex formation on the sides near the tip. No. 159, AM, chert.

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(2) Tanged Point-cum-Scraper²⁸ on an ovalish end-flake which has been retouched along the edges to form a scraping edge and a blunt rounded point made by making a small notch on the other side. This along with another on the butt-end has produced a small tang. The tang will facilitate hafting, but does not anticipate a socket, for which it is too irregular. No. 359, AM, chert.

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²⁸ BANERJEE, op. cit., p. 288, pl. 6, i. It is called simply "a tanged point".

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End Scrapers (Fig. 42)

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The industry includes a large number of scrapers, but among these, this variety is the finest and better than any in Maharashtra. BANERJEE found one scraper in association with a hand-axe in the lower gravel at Taminhal. He further thinks that these are genetically related to the Hand-axe Industry.²⁹ Another remarkable feature is the sub-groups within the main formed by the types of edge or general shape, and the attempt to provide a tang.

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²⁹ BANERJEE, op. cit., p. 234.

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(1) Large end-scraper on an end-flake with flat platform on a broad butt; fan-shaped convex edge, irregular, steep, retouch; two large flakes removed from either side, probably with a view to hafting. OB-1,³⁰ Chert.

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³⁰ Ibid., p. 236, pl. 10, c.

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(2) Ovalish end-scraper on an indeterminate flake; rolled. Roughly convex edge, steeply retouched, the butt-end probably intentionally narrowed by irregular flaking to facilitate hafting. Found in situ with hand-axe gravel I at Taminhal, No. 1, TH, chert.

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Hollow Scraper (Fig. 41, 3)

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(3) Made on a crescentic end-flake with a broader base, with fine bulb and narrow end. The concave edge achieved by steep flake, and later carefully retouched. No. 29,³¹ BGRT, chert.

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³¹ Ibid., pl. 18. d.

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Round Scraper (Fig. 42, 3)

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Roughly squarish flake retouched along the margin from the upper surface only. These are at some places very steep. BGRT-187, chert.³²

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³² Ibid., p. 241, pl. 18, h. Not illustrated here.

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*Borers*

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This forms, in Karnatak, numerically the largest group. Though anything—cores, nodules and flakes—is utilized for the purpose, nearly 90% of the borers are on flakes. But here again such pointed flakes were chosen, which lent themselves with minimum retouch for turning them into borers.

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(1) *Borer with little retouch*

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A leaf-shaped end-flake, retouched partly from the upper and partly from the lower to form a slightly protruding borer point. BGKT -365.³³

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³³ BANERJEE, op. cit., p. 246, pl. 15, a.

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(2) *Borer with elaborate retouch*

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This is a more advanced group in which the guards ar made as in the intermediate state.³⁴ but the point is well projected and very carefully prepared.

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³⁴ Here omitted.

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(3) *Borer on Core*

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A small unfinished borer on an oblong core. Partly retouched, but the point is still thick and hence probably incomplete. No. 326, BGKT.³⁵

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³⁵ Ibid., p. 255, pl. 17, a.

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Of all these four sub-types, only one is here illustrated. (*Fig. 41,4*)

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Borer on an elongated heart-shaped end flake. On the upper surface, the borer point is symmetrically brought out by hollowing its sides and careful retouch, whereas as butt end has been flattened to facilitate hafting. No. 105, AM, chert.

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*Kurnool*

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In Kurnool (Andhra), CAMMIADE and BURKITT had already classified typologically their collection into Series I, II, III, the first corresponding to our Early Palaeolithic.

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*Stratigraphy*

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Later, as mentioned above, ISAAC has covered a much wider field and collected extensively. The position of his Series II tools seems to be well indicated, though nowhere the tools occur in a cemented gravel as at Bel Pandhari and other sites on the Godavari or Maheshwar on the Narmada. At a number of sites these tools are mixed up with the later or earlier deposits, and since very often the same raw material viz. quartzite³⁶ is used for both the types of tools, it is difficult to differentiate, particularly those which are merely flakes. Hence the tools are not yet statistically treated, though arranged after BURKITT into four series. Both his Series II and III comprise tools which would be elsewhere called "Middle Palaeolithic" or simply Series II. Pending further clarification, a few important types are here illustrated. It should be pointed out that the collection includes all the main types which characterize the Nevasian, including the tanged variety of points, borers and scrapers. Another interesting feature is the size. On the whole, the tools are larger than those from Maharashtra or we may say larger than those from the basalt region. (*Fig. 43*)

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³⁶ This is particularly so in the Nallamalai region. In the Erramalai jasper and other fine grained material was preferred during the Middle Palaeolithic times.

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1

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2

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4

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3

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Fig. 43. Points and Scrapers, Kurnool, Andhra (1/1).

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1. Point,³⁷ leaf-shaped, on a large plano-convex flake, angle 90°, cortex on platform, erased bulb. A flake removed from the butt-end on the top. The margin near the working end trimmed. Included in Series III by ISAAC. VP, 224, quartzite.

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³⁷ ISAAC, op. cit., p. 521, LXIII, 219.

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2. Point,³⁸ bifacial and tanged, on a large flake. Beautifully worked on both faces by deep and shallow flake scars. Tang made by deep flaking on the underside. VP, 48, quartzite.

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³⁸ Ibid., p. 513, pl. LXXII, 192.

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3. Scraper,³⁹ Side-and Hollow, on a thick, irregular flake. It can be described as an End-Scraper as well. BGM, II, 45, cherty quartzite.

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³⁹ Ibid., p. 525, pl. LXXIV, 233.

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4. Scraper,⁴⁰ on a semi-circular flat flake, the margin of the semi-circular edge worked from both faces by bold retouch. PCF, II, 131, limestone.

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In other districts of Andhra no survey has been carried out, nor in the States of Madras and Mysore (barring Northern Karnatak). Thus the further southward distribution of this culture is at present unknown, but it can be confidently asserted that it will be found. And it is this industry which later developed into the Teri microlithic industry.⁴⁰ᵃ

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⁴⁰ Ibid., p. 513, pl. LXXIV, 249.

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Orissa (See Fig. 44)

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Stratified deposits exist on the Khadkai at Bijatala and Kandalia, District Mayurbhanj, at Ramla and Jagannathpur on the Baitarni in District Keonjhar, at Jhirapani on the river Koel, at Khurhadi on the Khurhadi (a tributary of the Brahmani) in the Sundargarh District, whereas at Harichandanpur in the Dhenkanal District there is a factory site as there are outcrops of quartz, jasper and quartzite.

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Stratigraphy

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The stratigraphy in general is (beginning from the bottom) rock or at times clay, coarse gravel, reddish silt, fine gravel, red silt, though at places the basal gravel might be missing or under water. The basal or the first gravel is coarser, whereas the second is finer. It is this which yields Middle Palaeolithic tools, while the basal gives tools of the Hand-axe complex. However, it must be mentioned that such a section is rare. At Bijatala, Jhirapani and Kandalia, the lowest coarse gravel is missing. Only at Ramla, Bhaliatundi and Tumkelaghat, the coarse gravel is capped by fine gravel and red silt; the latter again is capped by a thick deposit of silt.

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Tool Percentage

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So far some 400 specimens have been collected.⁴¹ Of these about 78% are flakes, and 13% each cores and nodules. Actual tools form about 52.00%. These fall into the following groups :

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⁴¹ MOHAPATRA, op.cit., pp. 197-98.

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| I | Scrapers | ... | ... | ... | 71% (151) |
| II | Scraper-Borers | ... | ... | ... | 2% (5) |
| III | Points | ... | ... | ... | 21% (46) |
| IV | Borers | ... | ... | ... | 1.9% (4) |
| V | Burins | ... | ... | ... | 1.9% (4) |

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40a The late Prof. SUBBARAO had discovered such tools in terrace 3 at Attirampakkam near Madras. The writer had an occasion to see these at Baroda in May, 1962.

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*Tool character*

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Since the flakes predominate in the collections, the industry should normally be called a "Flake Industry." But it has to be emphasised that the flake was not an essential prerequisite in the technique. The majority of the flakes have been removed by soft cylinder hammer. Hence the bulb is diffused. The angle between the striking platform and the flake surface is wide. Prepared platform flakes are few. Thus the true Levalloisian element—preparation of the core and the flake prior to removal—is absent.

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As far as the actual preparation of the tool is concerned, secondary retouch is employed. But it is marginal, and generally confined to the upper surface and that too only at most essential places. Only a few tools exhibit retouch from both the surfaces.

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*Burins*

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Before illustrating a few representative specimens, a word about the burin is necessary. Though MOHAPATRA has included it among the main tool types, none have been found *in situ*.⁴² They occur exactly as at Nevasa, Poona and elsewhere in Maharashtra along with other tools on the surface. Their stratigraphical position is not yet determined. Since they do not form a part of the microlithic, it is possible that these form a part of a culture following the Middle Palaeolithic and preceding the Microlithic, because of the technique and the typological similarities to the Upper Palaeolithic.

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⁴² As shown elsewhere, this seems to belong to the real Mesolithic period.

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*Illustrated types (Fig. 44)*

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1. Borer on core, greenish banded opal, under surface has cortex. Borer tip made by making a notch at a side and further trimming. BDR-44⁴³

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⁴³ MOHAPATRA, op.cit., p. 240, pl. XLII, 6.

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2. Point, leaf-shaped, bluish shale, upper surface has cortex, whereas the under surface has centrally converging flat flake scars; with its symmetrical body it is one of the "best finished" points. BTL-15,⁴⁴ (*In situ*).

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⁴⁴ Ibid., p. 227, pl. XXXVIII, 2.

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3. Borer or Point on roughly triangular flake, clean under surface, upper surface flaked. Neatly made triangular point. RRP-14.⁴⁵

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⁴⁵ Ibid., p. 241, pl. XLII, 8.

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4. Point, triangular flake on milky quartz, edges and tip retouched from upper surface, which has a very regular and parallel sided flake scar, suggesting the removal of a blade flake, Tip thin and sharp. BSI-4⁴⁶ (*In situ*).

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⁴⁶ Ibid., p. 226, pl. XXXVII, 2.

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5. Burin on side flake, fine grained bluish translucent quartzite, triangular gouze type. Bahalada-2.⁴⁷

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⁴⁷ Ibid., pp. 242-44, pl. XLII, 1.

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6. Side scraper on thick flake, cortex on surface, retouched on one side. RRP-41, black chert.⁴⁸

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⁴⁸ Ibid., p. 200, pl. XXXI.

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7. Hollow scraper, roughly triangular, bulb and platform removed. Minutely retouched on three sides, more prominently on the broader side. RRP-15,⁴⁹ honey-coloured jasper.

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⁴⁹ Ibid., p. 205, pl. XXXII, 3.

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8. Hollow scraper on irregular nodule. Deeply notched hollow. *In situ*, JPNI-1, red jasper.⁵⁰

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⁵⁰ Ibid., p. pl. XLVI, 5.

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1

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2

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3

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4

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5

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6

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7

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8

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Fig. 44. Points, Borers and Scrapers, Orissa (1/1).

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West Bengal

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Though there is a reference to Series II in the assemblages from the Kasai Valley in the District of Purulia, now in West Bengal those tools which were exhibited at Baroda in 1960 appear to belong more to the microlithic tradition than to Series II. Hence in the absence of clear data, this area may just now be excluded from the distribution map of the Middle Palaeolithic. However, there is no reason why this Stone Age culture should not flourish in the Kasai Valley, for it is but a part and parcel geographically and climatically of Chota Nagpur.

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No tools of this nature have so far been reported from the Singarauli Basin in Mirzapur district.

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Malwa

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In Malwa, so far two stratified sites are from the Shivna Valley⁵¹ viz. Mandasor and Nahargadh. Here the second gravels have yielded 7 tools, but a large collection—over 200—has been collected from several sites on the surface. Whereas at Khadki Mata, a site about three miles away from Ramghat on the same river near Mandasor, there are beautiful outcrops of yellowish red jasper, and hundreds of flakes and chips are scattered around them, indicating that this was a workshop.

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⁵¹ From Stone Age Cultures of Malwa, by A. P. KHATRI, Ph. D. thesis in Archaeology submitted to the Poona University in 1957. Copies in the Deccan College and Poona University. New discoveries are reported in I.A.R., 1959-60, p. 22.

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KHATRI thought, from the nature of his collection, that this was mainly a flake industry in which the flakes exhibited simple platforms with obtuse striking angles. No Levallois influence was observed by him.

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Typologically, however, the small Malwa collection has preponderance of scrapers and points⁵²—125 out of 200.

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⁵² From KHATRI's final total 321 (p. 168) fluted cores and flakes have been omitted, as these seem to belong to a later culture.

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The *in situ* material consists of side-scrapers, borer, point-cum-scraper and flakes.⁵³

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⁵³ Ibid., p. 166, pl. XXXVII, 4, 5.

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Illustrated Types (Fig. 45)

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1. Convex-edged scraper, retouched from the underside of the flake. No. 246, MDR, ferruginous sandstone.
2. Three-sided scraper on a thick oval end flake. Steep, bold, retouch from the underside up. No. 16, MDR, jaspter.
3. Discoid scraper, evidently on a core. No. 76, MDR, veined quartz.

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Rajputana

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Varied physiographical aspects in Rajputana (p. 36) seem to have influenced the cultural development in Palaeolithic times. Though how far this is due to the chance of discovery, and how far due to the actual climatic and physical features or causes remains to be determined.

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3

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2

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1

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Fig. 45. Scrapers, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh (1/1).

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Thus a few traces of Middle Palaeolithic Cultures have been reported from Eastern Rajputana, though it is unbelievable that this should have none; for it is contiguous and in fact part of Malwa. In the latter, particularly from the Chambal and its tributaries, the Shivna, KHATRI and the writer collected scraper-points. Nor is good raw material—flinty chert—absent from Eastern Rajputana. Near Chitor,⁵⁴ there is limestone and the hill slopes were later the knappery of microlithic people. Further search should in future yield tools of this culture.

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⁵⁴ Here a couple of flakes were picked up by us in the Gambhiri in March 1961. *I.A.R.*, 1960-61, p. 31.

Cites (13)