Early India and Pakistan to Ashoka c6.s2.9

c6.s2.9

The 'Late Soan' industry recovered from this Terrace is of two phases, equating with the two component strata. Phase A, from the basal gravel, is largely an extension of the pebble industry of the Early Soan, and is particularly characterized by rough oval pebbles with untouched butt along one side and flaking along the opposite side, though sometimes from each surface alternately, thus producing a wavy edge, straight or convex. Phase B, from the overlying loess, has produced recognizable workshop-sites with fresh tools, consisting mainly of flakes comparable with the Late Levalloisian of Europe, though including some pebble-choppers and cores as in Phase A. It was observed that there was an evolving tendency towards smaller and more finely made types. ‘In the early stages [of the Soan industry] the flakes are crude. In the late Soan alongside the simple forms there are other flakes showing a development in technique, with much more regular primary flaking and often with faceted platforms.’