An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c42.3

v2.c42.3

**Pachad** (18°14'; 73°24'), Dt Kolaba, 22 km from Mahad, where previous exploration has brought to light a few microliths and a unifacial chopper from inside the cave. Subsequent excavation by the ASI (*IAR 1969-70*, p. 23; *1970-1*, p. 22) in the cave in the volcanic trap of the area located about 450 m above mean sea-level has revealed two circular openings inside, measuring 10 × 10 m on the s. side. Two trenches—one at the n. entrance and the other in the e. side of the cave—reached a maximum depth of 1·5 m of which a 5 cm thick deposit contains a loose brown dust on the surface underlain by a 15 cm thick light or ashy earth. Below this is a deposit of rock rubble mixed with brown earth. From this level short, retouched and plain blades, points and a few blade cores have been recovered. This level has been found disturbed by modern pits with a perforated terracotta disc, small bits of charcoal, pottery and fragments of bone. The cave deposit comprises fallen rock fragments and a wind-blown dust from the platform surfaces below, over which modern villages are situated.