Early India and Pakistan to Ashoka c6.s3.25

c6.s3.25

The first impression conveyed by this differential distribution is that the two series are essentially separate and complementary, with dispersal centres respectively in the north and in the south. This may be the correct answer; the seeming separateness of the series is slightly reinforced by the fact that the handaxes which accompany pebble-choppers in the Early Soan are wholly or largely absent from the Late Soan, which is otherwise its logical sequel, and a comparable sequence recurs in the Narbadā valley. Here it may be that a changing environment or population is the answer; but, even so, the seeming ease with which the two main elements of the Early Soan or the Lower Narbadā group slide apart is at least consistent with a divided tradition. Again, in the Sabarmati valley evolved Acheulian handaxes have been observed alongside a crude pebble and flake industry with which they have no obvious affinity. A somewhat similar disharmony is apparent in the Series 2 of the Nallamalais Range in south India, where the splendid handaxes of Series 1 are largely replaced by a crude pebble and flake industry which is not readily explained by the normal processes of devolution, though again a changing environment (of which we know very little) may be a cause. Certainly the possibility of independent origins for the pebble choppers and the handaxes must be kept open, and receives some support from wider geographic considerations. Before considering these, however, we must glance at the parallel situation in Africa.²³