Quaternary Geoarchaeology of India

The Quaternary Period in South Asia has a very prolonged and diverse history. Within this region, India represents various technological and cultural phases of hominin occupation adapting to different ecological zones throughout the Quaternary Period. The earliest records of this occupation can be traced back to 1.5 Ma ago and possibly to c. 2 Ma ago. Archaeological evidence has been reported from all known phases in India, showing a continuous record of occupation from the Early Pleistocene onwards and reflecting adaptation by multiple hominin species over time. This book aims to highlight recent advances in the Quaternary geoarchaeology by showcasing diverse methods such as archaeology, geology, palaeoclimatology, sedimentology, GIS, remote sensing and taphonomy. It presents a collection of papers that address various geoarchaeological aspects from different regions in India, within the time frame of the Early Pleistocene to Anthropocene. This volume provides an opportunity for new data to be disseminated, particularly by young researchers and, within the framework of worldwide research issues, it promotes new geoarchaeological perspectives from India.
A review of Palaeolithic sites associated with gravel deposits in India
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Published:March 31, 2023
Abstract
Rivers and river-borne deposits have always been a major attraction for hominins as an important source of sustenance and settlements. Hence, fluvial deposits have long been an important source of evidence for early human occupation throughout the Old World. Apart from being an important palaeoclimatic marker, fluvial sequences have provided archaeologists with frameworks for correlation, along with Palaeolithic markers discovered within them. Moreover, given the influx of sediments eroded and deposited by Indian rivers, these could have acted as a centre of hominin activities. Palaeolithic research in India has been concentrated around some of its major river valleys, which have yielded a rich record of hominin occupation. So far, 305 Palaeolithic sites have been reported from a gravel context throughout the country, yielding Lower to Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic evidence. However, most of the derived evidence is secondary deposits and stands contested based on its contextuality. Nevertheless, its importance as a source of information about hominin activity cannot be underestimated. This review presents a provisional synthesis of all of the Indian Palaeolithic sites reported from gravel contexts, thereby presenting scope for future multidisciplinary research at these localities.
- Andhra Pradesh India
- archaeological sites
- archaeology
- artifacts
- Asia
- boulders
- Cenozoic
- clastic rocks
- clastic sediments
- conglomerate
- deposition
- erosion
- fluvial environment
- geologic sites
- Godavari River
- gravel
- Gujarat India
- Holocene
- human activity
- India
- Indian Peninsula
- Jharkhand India
- Karnataka India
- Kutch India
- laterites
- lower Paleolithic
- Madhya Pradesh India
- Maharashtra India
- Mesolithic
- middle Paleolithic
- Narmada River
- Neolithic
- Paleolithic
- Pleistocene
- Poona India
- provenance
- Quaternary
- Rajasthan India
- Satna India
- sedimentary rocks
- sediments
- Sidhi India
- Siwalik Range
- soils
- Stone Age
- Tamil Nadu India
- upper Paleolithic
- Uttar Pradesh India
- Son River
- Hiran River
- Korttalaiyar River basin
- Pravara River
- Ghataprabha River
- Soanian
- Karha River
- Kukdi River
- Ghod River
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