An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s4.23

v1.c9.s4.23

*4.4.4 Upper Deccan*. In Maharashtra two regions—the TAPTI valley and Bombay area—have revealed blade-burin assemblages. At BHADNE in the basin of the Kan, a tributary of the TAPTI, Dt Dhulia, Upper Palaeolithic implements were obtained from alluvial deposits as well as from the neighbouring factory sites (Sali, 1970). From the total deposit with 12 layers Upper Palaeolithic tools were obtained from layers 5 to 11. The assemblages are divided into four groups on the basis of the stratigraphy as well as the techno-typological characters The earliest phase of implements, found *in situ* from the layer 11, are said to represent a formative stage. From the upper two layers, 10 and 9, a comparatively advanced tool kit was obtained. In both the groups implements are made on jasper. Evidence of a change in the raw material from jasper to chalcedony is obtainable in the next group—layers 8 and 7; the size of blades becomes smaller. In the last phase a considerable proportion of geometric microliths are found along with the preceding forms.