History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c10.s2.5

v1.c10.s2.5

287), indicate that the Upper Palaeolithic industries which are dated by the Radiocarbon method between 24,000 and 18,000 B.C. are associated with microliths. It is interesting to note that right from the beginning when pigmy tools formed only a small proportion (10%) of the tool-kit, the microlithic technology appears in developed form. But the implement forms are mostly non-specific. For, the microlithic group is dominated by backed- bladelets and presence of a few lunates. Such perfect geometric forms as triangle and trapeze are either absent or when present (triangles are generally found in this phase), these are in negligible proportion and mostly atypical forms (Pant, 1982, pp. 104-105). It may, therefore, be concluded that, making of microliths emerged in the last phase of the Pleistocene period. The technological trait seems to have developed from the blade industries and thus was innovation. Similar situation is also found in Europe where microliths appear in the Upper Palaeolithic industries of the later Pleistocene epoch. The tool-kit of Magda-lenian culture is associated with microliths (Bordes, 1968, p. 164)