Early India and Pakistan to Ashoka c6.s2.5

c6.s2.5

Following the second glaciation was a prolonged interglacial phase—the Second Interglacial—during which the Boulder Conglomerate was partially eroded and redeposited as a covering on Terrace 1. In this Terrace two new industries make their first appearance: (i) the 'Early Soan', a pebble and flake industry which has been subdivided typologically but consists broadly of chopping and scraping tools; and (ii) a handaxe or 'Madras' industry consisting of more or less ovate tools worked on both faces. In both of the Soan groups occur worn and deeply patinated specimens, but their complete absence from the undisturbed Conglomerate suggests that they belong truly to various stages of the succeeding interglacial phase represented by Terrace 1.