An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s2.12

v1.c9.s2.12

Statistical studies of the relative proportion of handaxes and cleavers carried out on the collections from major explored and excavated sites have shown that in general the cleaver-handaxe ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:2. Handaxes are thus the dominant types even in areas of contrasting vegetational and climatic features. In the presently dry areas like Rajasthan, the moist and deciduous tracts of Orissa and the forested upper reaches of the Narmada handaxes are in excess over cleavers by 3 to 6 times. In the s. in Kurnool area again handaxes are in excess over the cleavers by 2 to 3 times. The Krishna basin presents a varied picture. But at a few sites like ADAMGARH and BHIMBETKA rock-shelters, GANGAPUR, NAGARJUNAKONDA, etc., cleavers outnumber handaxes. Typologically speaking these cleaver-dominated cultures show an advanced stage. It may be said that broadly in the Early and Middle Acheulian stages the handaxes are dominant while in the Late Acheulian the cleavers are in excess over handaxes (Joshi, 1970).