An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c5.6

v1.c5.6

In the post-Independence period the tempo of archaeological field-work increased considerably and covered all periods of human culture. Prehistoric investigations adopted new approaches, working on geomorphology, palaeontology, palaeobotany and palaeo-climatology, in order to establish the ecological relationship between human settlement and their environmental contexts. In Rajasthan, the sand-dunes have now been dated (through thermoluminiscence), providing the first reliable dating control for sand dynamics, palaeo-climatology and spread of deserts. In Kashmir valley, studies have been made by the chronostratigraphy of loessic and lacustrine sediments. A comparative study of the glaciofluvial and lake deposits has been made. Many river valleys have been studied for establishing a Stone Age stratigraphy for the sub-continent. The industries of the Lower, Middle and Upper Palaeolithic have been defined both stratigraphically and typologically. C-14 dates are now available both for the Middle and the Upper Palaeolithic horizons in certain regions. For the Mesolithic, which is found widely scattered, industries have been defined and their enviornmental studies made. C-14 dates are now available for some of the sites, indicating a postglacial succession of environments. Neolithic cultures have been identified in six regions and their time-range ascertained. Principal excavated sites belonging to the Neolithic Period, within India, are Burzahom, Brahmagiri, Chirand, Daojali, Hading, Gufkral, Hallur, Kodekal, Koldihawa, Kuchai, Mahagara, Maski, Nagarjunakonda and Utnur.