[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v2.c34.292 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c34.292 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c34.292 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c34.292](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c34.292) The upper Godavari valley is dominated by step-like erosional surfaces over varieties of basalts at 1000, 800, 650 and 500 m above mean sea level. The drainage pattern is dendritic and the streams flowing over plateaux are moderately meandering and confined to shallow box-shaped valleys. The Quaternary \[9.8\] alluvium rests unconformably over basaltic rocks of the Cretaceous-Eocene Age and occur in the form of two cut-and-fill types of terraces developed on the banks of the Godavari. The top surface of the older fill (Older alluvium) occurs 15 to 20 m above the modern bed level of the Godavari. The younger fill (Younger Alluvium) is inset into the older fill and occurs 5 to 10 m above the modern bed. The total depth of the Older Alluvium is about 40 m and extends a few km laterally on either banks. Occurrence of thick alluvial deposits right in the source region shows that the Godavari valley ex- perienced a ubiquitous aggradation in response to mild climatic changes of the late Pleistocene \[9.8.2\]. The pre-aggradational history of the valley is represented by strong incision (15 to 20 m below the modern bed level) in hard rock basalts as a result of tectonic movements of the early Quaternary. Remnant patches of thin (2 to 3 m) bouldery cobbly gravels resting on bed-rock basalts at an elevation of about 15 to 20 m above the present channel around \*\*PAITHAN\*\* represent the earliest deposi- tional phase of the Godavari. These high-level gravels of the early Quaternary age served as a rich source of raw material for the Middle Palaeolithic \[4.3\] man around Paithan. - [Previous: v2.c34.291](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c34.291) - [Next: v2.c34.293](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c34.293) - [Up: v2.c34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c34) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c34.292](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c34.292) · Pramāṇa