An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.t2.14

v1.c9.s6.t2.14

Typologically most of the finds are to be included in the category of celts, having three main varieties—axes, adzes and chisels. The broad morphological form of the celts includes the subtriangular, trapezoidal, ovaloid and subrectangular. The polar end varies between rounded and pointed forms. The cutting edge is either straight or convex, the amount of convexity being variable. The major shapes of the cross-section along the minor axis are triangular, rectangularoid, trapezoidal and planoconvex. Other artefacts found in the assemblages are the hammer-stone, pounder, mortar and pestle. Debris, blanks and incomplete and broken pieces are quite abundant at sites where the total collection is considerable. Many sites in Dt Midnapur have also yielded microlithic tools as well as potsherds. The Neolithic artefacts are made on basalt, diorite and dolerite. A shouldered celt was found near GHAGRA in the same Dt, embedded in the top soil of the bank of the Tarapheni. Rectangularoid in shape and ground all over, the transverse cross-sections of both the shaft and the axe were straight, meeting each other at right angles.