An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c10.s3.8

v1.c10.s3.8

Rajaguru has worked hard to collect ¹⁴C samples from Middle Palaeolithic sites; most of the dates are based on his samples. The Bardia hill in the Bhadar valley, Dhom Dam in the Krishna valley, INAMGAON on the Ghod, Mula Dam on the Mula and Ratikarar on the NARMADA have been ¹⁴C-dated. All these sites have Middle-Palaeolithic-associated sediments which yielded shells for dating. Except for Mula samples which are of wood, all other dates are based on shell material. Shell is not very reliable for dating and we therefore think that the dates obtained indicate only the upper limits. Except for one Mula sample (TF-217) which was older than 40000 years, all other Middle Palaeolithic samples have been found to be younger than 37000 B.P. We should bear in mind that even a little younger contamination can make an indefinite age look like 30000 B.P. The upper limit is about 12000 B.P. for the Middle Palaeolithic.