An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.53

v1.c9.s6.53

It appears that these people were primarily food-gatherers. Any evidence for agriculture is lacking; no quern or other grinding equipment has been found. Though pounders and mace-head axes might indicate incipient agriculture, they are not a conclusive evidence, for no remains of cereals or any other grains have been found. However harvesters [Sankalia, 1974, thinks that the so-called harvesters were in reality pendants] and charred hay would lead one to think of the prevalence of some sort of agricultural practice. But on the whole the economy seems to be based primarily on hunting and food-gathering as proved by predominant occurrence of bone tools like points and harpoons. Evidence for domestication of animals is also wanting. In short it may be said that here is the evidence for a transitional phase from specialized food-gathering to incipient food-producing stage. Yet these people knew the technique of mat weaving. Bone needles with eyes are suggestive of manufacture of clothing of animal skins which they must have scraped and cleaned with bone scrapers. However there is no direct evidence for woven cloth.