An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.t4.12

v1.c9.s6.t4.12

How old is the Neolithic culture of e. India is not precisely known due to lack of absolute dates. It is also not possible to work out the stratigraphical and archaeological chronology of the culture as well-stratified sites are yet to be excavated. What has been said by different writers on the dates is based on typological comparison of stone tools and on cross-cultural dating method. The typological analysis of the tools suggests (1) an early phase characterized by wholly chipped and edge-ground stone axes; and (2) a late phase marked by pecked and edge-ground and fully ground tools comprising shouldered celts and quadrangular axes and adzes found in association with cord-marked pottery. The early phase, which is yet to be stratigraphically attested, appears to show some features common with the Hoabinhian culture of S.-E. Asia where it had been a food-producing culture since *c.* 10000 B.C. (Gorman, 1971). The late phase, which is stratigraphically established, shows a close affinity with that of s. China and S.-E. Asia. If the Naga Hills pointed-butt triangular axes could be taken to represent the Indian Neolithic tool technique, it may be argued that e. India served as a contact zone of e. and s. Asian Neolithic traditions.