An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c14.s2.21

v1.c14.s2.21

7. Allchin *et al.* have postulated another significant dry phase following the weathering of the dunes of the earlier phase. During this second arid phase fresh dunes of several m thickness were formed over the dunes of the earlier phase. According to these authors Upper Palaeolithic [4.4] man was living in the area during this period. His tools, however, do not occur within the body of the dune but on the older weathered surface where they are believed to have slipped down the sand and got mixed with the Middle Palaeolithic tools. Upper Palaeolithic tools are also said to occur on the surface of the younger dunes mixed with the Mesolithic [4.5] tools. Our own observations however show that the younger dunes do not form more than a veneer of sand on the surface of the older brown weathered dunes and that microliths industries are associated with both older and younger dunes, more often with the former. At some sites however larger tools like choppers, scrapers and cores are associated with microliths. Even according to Allchin *et al.* the fact that the Upper Palaeolithic tools occur in association with Middle Palaeolithic tools on the older dunes and with microlithic tools on the younger dunes shows that there is a common cultural element on both dunes. The difference between Allchin *et al.* and our team is therefore less of observation and more of interpretation.