An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.t4.3

v1.c9.s6.t4.3

Garo Hills Dt of Meghalaya is particularly rich in sites, chipped and ground stone tools having been found in different parts (Goswami *et al.*, 1959, Dani, 1960; Sharma, 1966b). Of the explored sites the important ones are CHITRA ABRI, RENGCHENGIRI, RINGIGIRI and SELBALGIRI, the last one excavated (below). Analysis of the tools reveals the following peculiarities: (1) they are made on dolerite and are heavily patinated; (2) they can be divided into two broad groups on the basis of the technique of preparation: (a) chipped stone axes, and (b) ground stone axes, of two distinct types—shouldered celts and flat celts. The pottery is hand-made, coarse and gritty in fabric and grey, greyish-brown or dull red in colour. In Dts Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills there are reports of four stray finds of ground stone axes.