History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c10.s3.2

v1.c10.s3.2

In the first stage the basic form of the implement is chipped by direct percussion method and using stone hammer. In the second stage, the prominent ridges appearing from the earlier flaking are removed by pecking method. In pecking method very small flakes are carefully detached so as to bring down the raised surfaces of the tool. The third process is very lengthy and tedious, in which the surface of the tool is ground. Grinding process was performed on a stone anvil by sprinkling sand and water and rubbing parts of the implement one by one (Fig. 13). This technique is so characteristic of Neolithic period that the tools are referred to as ‘ground stone tools’. The aim to perform this process was to provide toughness to the implements (Jayaswal, 1992). Neolithic implements have been obtained from various parts of the Indian sub-continent. In the north, Kashmir valley has Burzoham group of sites, where along with the axes, chisel, pick and hoe are common types.