An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s2.t1.9

v1.c9.s2.t1.9

Important Pleistocene remains are reported from the basin of the NARMADA. After the first proper investigation of the area lying between HOSHANGABAD and Narsinghpur by de Terra and Paterson, 1939, various parts of the basin were studied by a number of explorers. The Pleistocene sequence and cultural remains of this area are a subject of controversy. De Terra and Paterson claimed two sets of industries, i.e. Abbevillio-Acheulian along with Sohan tool types, and developed Acheulian from two sedimentary groups, viz., Lower and Upper. The observations of Sankalia and Subbarao, 1953, near MAHESHWAR, Dt Nimar, agrees with those of de Terra and Paterson. However investigation by Khatri, 1961, near MAHADEO-PIPARIA revealed a gradual techno-typological evolution of industries from the pebble tool to the Acheulian, which he claims to be supported by stratigraphy. Khatri says that the pebble tool complex or Mahadevian is a pre-Chellean industry, comparing well with the Oldowan of e. Africa. Later Supekar, 1968, conducted excavations at the same locality and his conclusions completely ruled out Khatri's presumption.