An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c45.160

v2.c45.160

After an extensive field exploration in an area of about 100 km with Bellary as the centre, Subbarao excavated the rich and promising site in the terrace of Sannarasamma hill at Sanganakallu in 1946 (Subbarao, 1948). The excavation revealed three phases: an industry of heavily patinated flake tool on dyke, basalt and quartz and microliths [4.5] in the lowest overlain by a weathered layer; Neolithic [4.6.9] divisible into two sub-phases—true Neolithic and Neolithic with Chalcolithic [4.14.8] elements such as red-painted black pottery, etc., in the middle phase; and the Iron Age Megalithic [4.17.9] with an overlap with early historical remains [4.18.10]. In 1965 the Deccan College and the Univ. of Karnataka re-excavated the same area (*IAR 1964-5*, p. 29); in addition another area near by in the Bangaltota area and the undisturbed ash-mound were also excavated. Taken together these excavations, while confirming the previously established stratigraphy, have revealed further a Mesolithic phase [4.5] and a pre-Mesolithic horizon for the patinated flake tools and the stratigraphy of the ash-mound. Also a much disturbed small ash-mound on Saudamma hill and a rock-shelter [14.1.1] with paintings of cattle, etc., in red ochre have been noticed. All these investigations have revealed a sequence of cultures from the pre-Mesolithic to the early historical periods and their respective salient characteristics.