An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c42.707

v2.c42.707

Pioneering work in the field of prehistoric archaeology in the Pravara basin was carried out by Sankalia between 1954 and 1960. He discovered the tools of the Middle Palaeolithic [4.3] industry in a distinct stratified context at NEVASA (19°34'; 74°54'). This industry was then referred as Series II as it was found stratigraphically succeeding Series I—the Lower Palaeolithic [4.2] industry. The term 'Nevasian' was also designated for this industry after the type site of Nevasa. Sankalia postulated two cycles of aggradation and erosion in the Pravara. The Lower and Middle Palaeolithic industries were equated with the first and second aggradational phases respectively. The aggradational and erosional phenomena were attributed to drier and wetter climatic conditions.