An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c48.12

v2.c48.12

**Vadamadurai** (10°25′; 78°00′), Dt Chingleput, in the Korttalayar valley, considered to be valuable for the dating of the Boulder Conglomerate underlying detrital laterite [9.6]. The stone tools from the site were divided by Krishnaswami, 1947, pp. 32-3, into three groups based on patination and typology. The earliest, which is unlateritized, with heavy cream-coloured cortex patina-tion and rolled and is considered to be pre-lateritic and coeval with the Boulder Conglomerate, is divided into the Abbevillian and Early Acheulian [4.2]. The second group is stained red through contact with the laterite gravel laid on the top of the Conglomerate. Definite typological advance is also noticed over the first group by the handaxes showing mid-Acheulian, flatter and step-flaked types, pear-shaped and ovate forms being common. The flakes do not show any faceted platform. The third group has no laterite staining and only a little patination. The handaxes have an advanced Acheulian finish involving wood-technique; cleavers are very few. There are flat cores with prepared platform. The flakes do not show any faceted platform. Side scrapers exist on such flakes. F.E. Zeuner had the occasion of examining the material of the first group and believed that heavy leaching had taken place on the cortex of the tools of this group.