An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s5.16

v1.c9.s5.16

Though the vast majority of Mesolithic tools comprise microlithic forms, tools made on flakes and cores were also used in small quantities. These include side and end scrapers, points, truncated and notched flakes, borers and burins. Only rarely do we find heavier tools like discoids and choppers. Within this generalized technology we do find a certain amount of regional variation. At BAGOR the stone industry consists entirely of microliths: there are a few flake tools and no heavy tools at all. It is characterized by extreme miniaturization. The BHIMBETKA blades, very steeply blunted on both margins, probably to be used as drills and small end and thumb-nail scrapers, are characteristic. At BIRBHANPUR there are no geometric types. And the industry of the *teris* [9.5] is characterized by bifacially pressure-flaked flake points and discoids.