An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c30.395

v2.c30.395

Subphase B, Early Mesolithic with geometric microliths, layers 7 to 4, yields geometric microliths also unassociated with pottery. The microliths made on chert (90%) and chalcedony (10%) comprise tools like parallel-sided blades, blunted-back blades, pen-knife blades, notched blades, serrated blades, micro-burins, borers, points—both with and without tang—scrapers, lunates, triangles (only scalene type), trapezes and numerous cores, flakes and blanks. The triangle precedes the trapeze. Ground plans of two circular huts belonging to this subphase have been exposed. The fully exposed huts measure approximately 3 m in diameter. On the periphery of some of the huts have been found large stones. The floor of a partially exposed hut is stone-paved. The floors of all the huts are littered with microliths, stone pieces, burnt clay lumps with reedmarks, fragmentary animal bones and a few charcoal pieces. The emergence of some new tool types, including the geometric forms, the increase of chalcedony and other fine-grained materials to 10% and a further reduction in the size of the tools are some of the noteworthy features of this subphase.