History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c10.s1.t6.60

v1.c10.s1.t6.60

Similarly, it was observed that, the broad and oval shaped flakes were more common in the Lower Palaeolithic phase of India, while the elongated and round flakes were somewhat more frequent in the Middle Palaeolithic. Besides, no evidence could be retrieved to suggest that particular shapes of flakes were acquired for some typical tool forms. The only exception to this observation was the cleaver-shaped flake of the Acheulian industries. Further, it was noted that the shape of the parent core, its preparation, the angle of stroke given to detach the flake and the amount of force applied for the purpose, were the major factors responsible for determining the shape of flake/blade. During the course of our analysis of the Palaeolithic technology, it was noted that raw material is the other factor which seems to have influenced the techniques and size of flakes and blades (Jayaswal, 1978, pp. 206-211). The form and nature of raw material in a particular region i.e., the size, shape and form of nodules, pebbles and block of stones along with their composition appears to be the guiding factors. For instance, if only small pebbles were available as raw material in a region, then the prehistoric man of the region was not in a position to make very big tools out of them. On the contrary, if big blocks of stones were to be selected for the purpose in another region, the first action of the prehistoric man for manufacturing implements would be to avail manageable flakes from them and then work them out into desired tools. The Lower Palaeolithic industries from the factory sites of the Belan-Seoti valley provide illustrative example of the latter instance. Though the Lower Palaeolithic industries in general are dominated by artifacts made on core, yet the Belan group of industries show the predominance of flakes and flake-tools. For, it was necessary in this region to detach flakes first, from the big quartzite blocks and then convert them into finished tools or some times into cores for detaching flakes and blades.