OF THE

DECCAN COLLEGERESEARCH INSTITUTE

Vol. XXXI

Part 1- 1970-71 - Part 11-1971-72

POONA

1973

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAT

z. D. ANSARI AND R. S. PAPPU

INTRODUCTION

Till recently before the early sixties of this century the Saurashtra and theKutch regions of Peninsula were a terra incognita in Indian Prehistory. The evidenceof Stone Ages in Saurashtra was obtained for the first time by Prof. H. D. SANKALIA inOctober 1962 when he collected tools of Early and Middle Stone Age industries fromthe stratified deposits on the river Bhadar at Rojadi1• After these discoveries, Prof.SANKALIA hoped to obtain similar evidence in the adjoining regions of Kutch andSind. The tools of Middle Stone Age industry were collected in KutCh by Sri. K. V.SOUNDAR RAJAN in 19642 and Early Stone Age tools were picked up from the graveldeposits of river Bhukhi near Nakhtrana by Prof. Sankalia himself in December19673

• Against this background it was suggested to us by Prof. SANKALIA to under­take the reconnaissance prehistoric survey of the Kutch district and in the monthsof Januaryand February 1968, we explored major portion of the district andbrought to light evidence of Stone Age industries in different parts of the district.

THE LAND •

Geographic Setting

Kutch, the northernmost crescent shaped district of the Gujarat (20° 47-24N; 68°26'-71°10' E ) is bounded on the north and the east by the great and the littleRann, on the south by the gulf of Kutch and on the west by the Arabian Sea. TheKutch Peninsula was once an island entirely cut off from the continent and surrou­nded by seas until the great and the little Rann got silted up.

Kutch district from physiographic point of view is divided into three regionsas follows: hilly rugged central upland, coastal lowland, and broad plain of Rann.The central region of the district is conspicuous in relief on account of its low hillranges with an average altitude between 75-100 m. The hills are widely spread inthe western parts and gradually narrow eastwards into a single range. There aresome peaks in these ranges among which the highest point is Dhinodhar ( about 390m.). The central upland region is surrounded by coastal lowlands on northern,south-western and southern sides. The coast is fringed with mangrove swamps andtidal marshes and at places is bordered with sand dunes.

The great Rann lying to the north of Kutch Peninsula proper stretches to aLENGTH of 320 km. east- west and 100 km. north-south and covers an area of about21, 500. sq. km. The Rann portion of Kutch was the remnant of an arm of the seaand even during historic times it was a gulf of the sea. The gulf was graduallysilted up and as a result of a slow upheaval of its floor, it was converted into a lowlying tract of land. The little Rann lying to the south of Kutch proper is about

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAt 1S1

1/3 of great Rann. The great Rann is a broad flat unbroken plain formed of darksilt with salt incrustation, the plain rising only a few metres above the sea level. Thisplain surface is broken by four islands of high grounds namely Patcham, Khadir,Chorad and Bela. There are some grassy patches in the Rann and the largestknown as Banni, is an extensive low lying track habitated by scanty pastoral popu·lation. -The Rann gets flooded every year during monsoon season to a depth ofabout 0·50 m. to 1 m. and has an appearance of an island.

Kutch Peninsula is tectonically unstable region where catastrophic earthquakessuch as Indus delta ( 1668), Rann of Kutch (1818) and Anjar ( 1965) have occu'red during the last 300 years.Climate, Soils and Vegetation

Kutch region is almost beyond the rainbringing influence of south-westmonsoon, therefore, it is an area of scanty and erratic rainfall and receives only25-40 cm. of rain annually. Scanty rainfall has given this region an appearance ofarid to semi-arid landscape characterised by coastal sand dunes, sandy plains andnaked rocky hills. The soils of Kutch consist of alluvial sandy types of soilsmainly along coast and black. medium soil occurring in patches around Bhuj andAnjar region. The vegetation is semi-desert type with a predominance of xerophyticdrought resisting specimens.

River system

Because of the original island character, all the rivers have their source"whithin the Kutch territory. The rivers originate from the central higWands whichacts as a watershed and rivers flow northwards to the great Rann and southwardsto the gulf. The rivers have short courses ( 50 to 80 km.) and are non-perennial.The Miti, Kankavati, Nairo and the Rukmavati are some of the important southflowing rivers, while the Bhukhi and the Khari are important north flowing rivers.

Geology

The rocks of Jurassic system occupy practically half of the Kutch district andare the oldest rock formations except some patches of ancient crystallineArchaean rocks in northern Kutch. These rocks show their best development in Ifutchand outcrop as three main anticlinal tjdges trending east-west. The northern ridgetraverses through the i~ands of Patcham, Khadir, Bela and Chorad in great Rann,the middle ridge extends from Lakhapat towards east for 192 km. and the southernridge passes through Katrol hill and south of Bhuj. The rock types of this systemconsist of marine sedimentary formations like, sandstones, conglomerates, shalesand limestones and are well known for their richness in ammonite faunas.

The next formations in succession are Deccan Traps which were eruptedas horizontal lava flows during Creataceous-Eocene times. The most commonrock type is dark grey basalt. These formations form all the hilly groundsin the central Kutch and are found to. cap the Jurassics. They stretch allalong the whole length of Jurassics. The dykes of dolerites rocks are foundto traverse through the Traps at a number of places.

15~ t. b. ANSARI AND :a.S. PAPPU

Tertiary formations are well developed in the Kutch region and arefound to border DeecanTraps and Jurassics in two longer bands parallelwith the coast. They range in age from Eocene to Pliocene. The rock typesinclude shales often bituminous, numilitic limestones, ferruginous conglomeratessandstones and shales,

Pleistocene and recent deposits are restricted along the coast and in the rivervalleys.

PLEISTOCENE .STRATIGRAPHY

The stratigraphy observed at some of the sites is described below.

1. ANGIA (69 0 22' E, 230 20' N )

The village is situated 5 km. south-east of Nakhtrana town. The sectionabout 4 to 5 m. in height (PI. I1I-3) is exposed on the left bank of the riverBhukhi. The country rock sandstone is exposed at the base and is directlyoverlain by bouldery / pebbly gravel of 1 to 1. 5 m. thickness and this gravelin turn is overlain by calcareous red brown silt of 2 to 3 m. thickness. The graveldeposit is ofcolluvial· nature and is made up of locally derived slope materialbrought from surrounding hills. The component of the gravel consists of angularto subanular blocks and chunks of dolerite and basalt and subrounded pebblesof sandstone. The matrix of the gravel is ferruginous and the cement iscalareous. This site was first discovered by Prof. SANKALIA and collection of EarlyStone Age tools made by him from this site consist of thick cleaver andchoPPt~r like flakes. These were found in situ at the base of the gravelresting on country rock basalt." We also collected a few tools of the EarlyStone Age industry from this site.

2. ANJAR (70° 4' E, 23° 7' N )

Anjar is a taluka headquarters and lies at a distance of 40 km. south- east of Bhuj. The section on the right bank of the river Sang' ( Fig. 2 )shows pebbly gravel of 1 to 1. 5 m. thickness at the base and is overlajnby yellowish brown kankary silt of 6 m. thickness. The gravel is made upof angular pebbles mostly of trap and a few of chert and chalcedony.l!fhe matrixof the gravel is sand and silt and cement is calcareous~ The modem bed ofthe Sang river consists of angular to subangular pebbles of trap and sHicl;group minerals. A ftw Middle Stone Age tools were. collected in situ fromthe gravel deposit,

3. BETA (69°5' E, 23°16' N)

This place lies at a distance of 25 km. south west of Nakhtrana town andhas been reported by Soundar Rajan (IAR-1963-64). The section exposed on theleft bank of the river Miti (Fig. 2; Pl. III-4) consists of sandstone atthe basewhich is overlain by pebbly angular gravel of 1 m. thickness. The sandy gravelof 3 m. thickness is found directly resting on the coarse pebbly gravel. Thisgravel shows indistinct cross-bedding and is very well cemented. The gravel is

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAT 153

overlain by kankary yelloWish brown silt of 6 to 8 m. thickness. Both gravelsare colluvial in nature and their components are pebbles of sandstone, shale,basalt, and silica group minerals. A few in situ Middle Stone Age tools werepicked up from the junction of first and second gravel.

4. BHAJODI (69°47' E. 23°13' N)

This village lies at a distance of 8 km. south east of Bhuj. The stratigraphyobserved on the left bank of the river Pat (Fig. 2; Pl. III-2) consists of countryrock sandstone at the base which is overlain by pebbly gravel of 1.5 to 2 m.thickness and this in turn is overlain by kankary yellowish brown silt of 6 to 8 m.thickness. The component of the gravel consists of angular pebbles of shale,sandstone and quartzite. A few tools of Early and Middle Stone Age industrieswere collected from the river~.

5. DESALPAR (69°12' E. 23°28' N)

This village, a well known Harappan site, is situated 20 km. north west ofNakhtrana. There are sandstone cliffs (5 to 6 m. high) exposed on both thebanks of the river Dhrund. At places both the banks consist of kankary yellowishbrown silt of 5 to 6 m. thickness. The modern bed is strewn with angular pebblesof shale and sandstone.

6. DEVISAR ( 69°22' E, 23°23' N )

This place lies at a distance of 8 km. north east of Nakhtrana. The sectionon the right bank of the river Bhukhi is made up of bouldery colluvial gravel of 1to 1·5 m. thickness at the base which is overlain by kankary yellowish silt of 5 to6 m; thickness. An ovate scraper was picked up from the loose gravel bed.

7. LAKHOND (69°49' Eo 23°15' N)

This village lies at a distance of 9 km. east of Bhuj. There are good. out­crops of quartzites and silicified shales in the hillocks situated south of thevillage and there is a good talus accumulation at the foot of these outcrops whichhas been used as a raw material in the manufacture of tools. A large number offinished and unfinished tools of Middle Stone Age industry were found scatte~d atthe foot of these outcr9ps and in the surrounding fields.

8. MATHAL (69°13' E, 23°24' N)

This site has already been referred by Soundar Rajan (IAR, 1963-64) andlies at a distance of 15 km. north west of Nakhtrana town. There is a waterfall( 7 to 8 m. high): on the river Dhrund near the village. Alluvium is exposed at a fewplaces and mainly consists of kankary yellowish brown silt and has thicknessvarying from 5 to 8 meters. A few tools of Middle Stone Age industry weregathered from the river bed.

9.. YAKSHA (69°23' E, 23°18' N)

This place lies at a distance of 10 km. south east of Nakhtrana town. Thesection exposed on the right banlt of Nata consiets of sandy pebbly ~ravel of l to

154 Z. D. ANSARI AND R. S. PAPPU

1·5 m. thickness at the base and is overlain by kankary yellowish brown silt of 5to 7 m. thickness. The site has given an evidence of Middle Stone Age industrY.

Besides these observations of the alluvium, we also studied some of thebeach deposits at a few places. The evidence of raised beach was noted atMandvi ( 69°22' E, 22°50' N) where ancient beach deposit was found at a level ofof 6 to 7 m. from the present high tide level.

STONE AGE INDUSTRIES

EARLY STONE AGE

The evidence of Early Stone Age industry was obtained from 4 sites (Fig. 1)and 17 tools were collected.

The table shown below gives the site-wise distribution of main tool types.

SITE CHOPP- SCRA- HAND CLEA- FLAKES TOTALERS PERS AXES VERS

1. Angia ( ANG ) 2 2 42. Bhaiodi (BJD ) 3 2 2 1 3 113. Devisar ( DVS ) 1 14. Lakhond ( LKND ) - 1 1

5 4 2 1 5 17

Tools from the sites of Angia and Devisar near Nakhtrana are made on doleriteand basalt whereas those from the sites of Bhaiodi and Lakhond near Bhuj arefashioned on hard fine grained quartzites of the Jurassic formations.

Out of the total 17 specimens, typical 8 are described below.

CHOPPERS

, Ther are 5 choppers in the collection ( 4 unifacial and 1 bifacial). Of these 3are on pebbles and two on nodules.

ANG-8 (Fig. 3, No.8)

Bifacial chopper on boulder of basalt. Flaking confined to workingedge portionWorking edge zigzag and produced by alternate flaking. Thick uiiworked butt.Semirolled. (190 X 170 x 85mm.).

BJD-3 ( Fig. 3, No.1; P1.I No.2 )

Unifacial chopper on fiat triangular piece of pink sandstone. Flaking mainlyconfined to working edge portion. Working edge straight and achieved by removalof small, both shallow as well as deep flakes along one of the sides of the triangularblock mainly from one surface. Solitary flake scar present on other surfacealong the working edge. Semirolled. ( 127 x 103 x40 mm. )

SCRAPERS

There are 4 scrapers in the collection and all are described below.

BJD - 2 (Fig. 3, No.4; Pl. I, No.1)

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STONE AGt IN KUTCH, GUjARAf 151

Unifacial scraper cum point on almond shaped block of grey quartzite. Naturalflat cortex allover one of the surfaces. Other surface retains cortex over majorportion. Flaking confined to lateral edges. Flake scars small and shallow and meetin a point. Unique specimen as by selecting natural piece of suitable siie andshape and with minimum working the beautiful specimen has been achieved.Semirolled. (131 x98 x48 nun.).

BJD - 9 ( Fig. 3, No.5)

Side scraper on thin triangular shaped piece of brown quartzite. One of thesurfaces retains cortex allover the surface except small flake scars along one ofthe lateral sides. Other surface characterised by two large flake scars andprominent midr;~_,:~. Tip broken. Semirolled. ( 105 x 70 x 30 mm.).

LKND-1 (Fig. 3, NO.7; Pl.I, NO.6)

Discoid scraper on end flake of brown quartizite. Undersurface clean exceptsmall flake scars along thl!' periphery. Other surface fully flaked. Flake scarsmainly shallow of both small and large size. Semirolled (107 x 100 X40 nun. ).

DV&-l (Fig. 3, NO.6; PI I, NO: 5.)

Oval shaped scraper on flat piece of trap. Fl~king mainly confined all alongperiphery to produce working edge. Flake scars mainly small and shallow. Bothsurfaces retain cortex over major portion. Cross section biconvex. Se~irolled.

(124 x90 x42 nun.).

HAND AXES

There are 2 handaxes in the collection and 1 is described below.

BJD-7 (Fig. 3. NO.3; Pl. I, NO.3)

Pebble butted triangular hand axe on brown quartzite. One of the surfacesshows prominent midridge formed by intersection of natural pebble surface withflake scars. Other surface shows one prominent large flake scar and a few smallflake scars. Tip rounded. Semirolled. (101 x62 x48 mm. ). .

CLEAVERS

There is only 1 cleaver in the collection.

BJD-1 (Fig. 3, NO.2; pI. I. No.4)

U shaPed cleaver made on end flake of brown quartzite. Undersurface almostclean except a few flake scars at the platform portion. Prominent bulbar scar.Uppersudace retains cortex all over the surface except one or two flake scars. Buttportion partly flaked. Fresh. (118 x 107 x 40 mm. ).

FLAKES ( From Prof. Sankalia's collection)

ANG-A (Fig. 6-A)

Chopper like end flake on basalt. Undersurface clean except a £lake scar atthe end portion. Uppersurface shows three prominent large flake scars. Left margin

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STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAT 159

has a few small flake scars. Right margin is blunt and plain to serve as hand-hold.Semirolled. (130 x92 x49 mm. )'

ANG -B (Fig. 6 -B)

Thick cleaver like side-flake on basalt. Undersurface clean. Uppersurfaceshows remnant of large flake scar. Platform consist of two portions separated bya midridge. One of its portion is cortex. Butt end blunted. Cutting edge obliqueand sharp formed by the intersection of primary flake surface and flake scar onupper surface. Semirolled. ( 165 x 105 x50 mm. )

MIDDLE STONE AGEThe collection of the tools of Middle Stone Age industry was made from

7 sites. (Fig. 1 )The table given on next page shows the site':"'wise distribution of Middle

Stone Age tool types and table below gives the site-wise distribution of rawmaterials.

SITE QUARTZITE CHERT SILICIFIEDSHALE

QUARTZ TOTAL

101217230106

871

11

11

103

971

20

~J 1BTA 5B10 15DSLP 1LKND 17MTH 10YKH 6-------------------------

55

The sites from Jurassic region near Bhuj and Nakhtrana show preference tolocally available raw materials like quartzites and silicified shales whereas the silicafamily minerals like chert are preferred at the site of Anjar which is situated in thetrap region.

Majority of the implements are fashioned on unprepared flakes. A few flakesin the collection suggest that they were detached by prepared core technique. Tqereare some tools in the collection, especially at the site of Lakhond which are madeon nodules and lumps of suitable size and shape.

SCRAPERS

There are 31 scrapers in the total collection and are divided into lollowing6 sub-groups.

a. Side scrapers 16b. End scrapers 2c. Side cum end scrapers 5d. Hollow scrapers 3e, Side cum Hollow scrapers 3f. Round scrapers 2

(

The tool kit consists of scrapers, points and borers among which scraper is the dominant tool type.

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAT 161

Out of the total 31, 21 are made on flakes and among these, tools made onend struck flakes predominate (about 75% ). 12 typical specimens are described.

Side Scrapers

ANJ-2 (Fig. 4, No.6; Pl. II, No.3 )

Side scraper on thick end flake blade of brown chert. Undersurface almostclean. Prominent bulb. Uppersurface shows series of parallel flake scars alongI~gth. One of lateral edges (left) unifacially retouched on uppersurface toproduce scraping edge. Semirolled. (69 x31 x12 mm.)

ANJ-3 (Fig.4,No.7 )

Small side scraper 011 pebble of green chert. Straight working edge obtainedby alternate flaking mainly along the edge. Flake scars shallow and small. Fresh.(27 x19 x18 mm.·)

BJD-2. ( Fig.4,.NO.I0;Pl.II,No. 5).

Side scraper on end flake of quartzite. Undersurface shows deep flake scar atthe rear portion and three small deep flake scars along one of the longer sides( left). Uppersurface retains cortex over half the surface. One of the longer sidesbifacially worked along lateral margin to produce scraping edge. Fresh. (80 x 57 x25mm. ).

LKND-4. ( Fig.4,No 12 Pl.II,No.2 ).

Convex side scraper on thick elongated nodule of quartzite. One of thesurfaces fully flaked over half the portion and remaining portion retains cortex.Flake scars small, both deep as well as shallow. Fresh.( 102 x39 X24 mm.)

LKND-9 (Fig,4,No.2 )

Side scraper on nodule of quartzite. One of the surfaces is characterised bynatural cortex while other surface is fully work.ed by detaching step as well as broadshallow flakes. One of the lateral sides steeply worked to produce convex workingedge. Fresh. (75 x 53 x 33 .mm. )

Side and End Scrapers

ANJ-l. (Fig.4,No.5;Pl.1I,No.4·)•

Side cum end scraper on end flake of quartzite. Undersurface clean withprominent bulbar scar and a few small flakes scars alonk margin. Uppersurfaceshows small deep as well as shallow flake scars. Patch of cortex along one of thelonger sides. Unifacially retouched along one of the shorter sides (platform) andone of the longer ( left) sides to produce Scraping edges. Fresh. (53 x 38 x 19mm.).

ANJ-4 ( Fig. 4, No.8)

Side sum end scraper on end flake of chert. Undersurface clean with promi­nent bul.b ~d bulbar SCar. Uppersurface characterised by a series of parallel blade

162 Z. D. ANSARI AND R. S. PAPPU

like flake scars. One of the shorter sides ( platform) and longer sides bifaciallyretouched to produce side cum end scraper. White patina overlarge area. Semi­rolled. (38 x 27 x 10 mm.)

MTH- 5 ( Fig; 4, No.4, PI. II, No.8)

Side cum end scraper on end flake of quartzite. Undersurface partly workedalong margins by detaching small flakes. Uppersurface retains cortex over largearea. One of the longer lateral sides unifacially retouched, while one of the shortersides (opposite plateform) bifacially retouched to produce scraping edges. Fresn.(57 x37 xl8 mm.)

LKND-10 (Fig. 4, No.1)

Rectangular side cum end scraper on end flake of quartzite. Undersurfacealmost clean. Uppersurface fully flaked and shows small and large both deep aswell as shallow flake scars all over the surface. One of the longer sides retouchedmainly unifacially and shorter sides ( opposite platform ) bifacially to produce sidecum end scraper. Fresh. ( 105 x 76 x 24 mm. )

Hollow Scrapers

BTA - 7 (Fig. 4, No. 11, PI. II, No.7)

Hollow scraper on end flake of quartzite. Undersurface cl ean. Uppersur­face shows 4 to 5 centrally directed flake scars some of which are deep. One of thehollows further retouched to produce hollow scraper. Fresh. (48 x 31 x 17 mm. )

Side and Hollow scrapers

BTA-ll (Fig. 4, No.9)

Side cum hollow scraper on end flake of quartzite. Undersurface clean.Uppersurface fully worked by detaching small.and large flakes. Both the longerlateral sides retouched mainly unifacially on uppersurface to produce straightnnd concave scraping edges. Fresh. (54 x 29 x 14 mm. )

Round scrapers

LKND-6 (Fig. 4, No.3; PI. II, No.9 )

Round scraper on flake of silicified Hhale. One of the surfaces fully flaked bydetaching small and deep flakes. Other surface also fully flaked and shows promi­nent large flake scar in the centre: Scraping edge produced by secondary workingalmost all along the I'eriphery. Fresh. (83 x 74 x 28 mm )

POINTS

There are 4 points in the collection, of these 3 are made on suitable naturalpieces of rocks and 1 on end flake.

BTA-IO (Fig.5,No.9;Pl.II,~0.II)

Point made on end flake of brown quartzite. Undersurface clean. Prominentbulb and bulbar scar. Uppersurface shows three prominent lar~e shallow fla}(e

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAt

SCars and few small shallow flake~scars. Tip portion shows retouches mainlymade .from undersurface. Semirolled. (51 x43 x9 mm. )

BORERS

There are 4 specimens of this type. 3 are made on natural pieces of rocks and1 on end flake.

LKND-2 (Fig.5, No3;Pl.II.No.12 )

Specimem with two prominent borer points made on flake of brown quart­zite. Undersurface almost clean. Uppersurface shows one prominent large flakescar and some small flake scars mainly along margins. Borer points achived byremoval of small flakes and by making retouches at pointed ends. Fresh. (107 x 72x18 mm.)

LKND-24 (Fig.5,No.5)

Borer on rectangular end flake ot silicified shale. Flake surface almost clean.Uppersurface shows centrally directed flake scars, some of which are deep. Borerpoint achieved by retouches mainly from uppersurface. Semirolled. (61 x 60 x 32mm. )

SCRAPER CUM POINT

These are composite tools and are 4 in number.

LKND-1 (Fig. 5,No.I;PI.II,No.6 )

Hollow scraper cum side scraper cum point on flake of brown chert. Undersurface almost clean expect a few flake scars along lateral margins. Uppersurtace fullyflaked and shows a number of small and large flake scars. Notch at tip portionretouched into hollow scarper. Lateral sides retouched on both surfaces to producescraping edges. Semirolled. (133 x64 X27 mm. ).

LKND-23 (Fig.5,No.10)

Point cum hollow scraper on flat block of silicified shale. One of the sur­faces retains cortex in the centre and is worked mainly along lareral margins.Other surface fully flaked. One of the notches further retouched to form holl0'fscraper. Semirolled. (89 x 73 x 22 mm. ).

BTA-6 (Fig.5, No.8; Pl.U, No. 10 )

Unique specimen characterised by scraping edge, chisel edge and broken borerpoint on flake of chert. Undersurface almost clean. Prominent bulb and bulber scar.Uppersurface fulIy worked by removal of small and large flakes. Scraping edgesalong two lateral sides produced by unifacial retouching mainly on undersiirface.Natural c!lisellike edge carefully further retouched. Fresh. (8.8 x 58 x I8mm. )

MISCELLANEOUS TOOL TYPES

In this category 2 specimens with prominent chisel edges are included.

MTH-2( Fig.5, No.2 )

Specimen with characteristic chisel edge on thick fhike of brown quartzite\Undersurface clean. Uppersurface partly flaked and partly retains cortex. Naturalchisel like portion carefully worked to pr<>4uce short chisel edged tool, Semirolled.(79 x41 X28mm.)

FLAKES

There are 30 flakes in the collection and all are of clactonain type. Out of these20 are end-stl}1ck while remaining 10 are side-struck.

5 flakes have cortex (either pebble or natural rock surface) on their upper­surfaces, while all the other flakes have been fully or partly worked on their upper­surfaces. One of the specimens is described here.

YKH-1 (Fig.5, N07)

Rectangular flake on dark brown quartzite. Plain platform. Prominent bulband bulbar scar. Flake surface clean. Uppersurface partly flaked and partly retainscortex. Semirolled. ( 45 x 37 x 14 mm. ).

CORES

There are 5 cores in the collection and of these 4 are atypical cores whichhave irregular shapes and in these flakes have been detached from all suitablepoints. There is only 1 specimen of blade core type. 2 specimens are described below.

MTH-19 (Fig. 5, No.6)

Irregular shaped core on brown quartzite. One of the surfaces show unevenplain flake surface which has been used as platform for removing the flakes.Other surface fully worked and shows high cortexed hump in the centre with deepflake scars all around Fresh. (88 x 75 x 60 mm. )

BJD-19( Fig. 5, No.4; PI. H, No 1)

Blade core on block of black chert. Series of blades detached along one sideof the natural block which end abruptly as they are obstructed by ledge portion.This ledge is further used as platform and some more flakes have been detached.On other surface specimen partly worked and partly retains cortex. Ftesh. (67 x 55X43 mm. )

DISCUSSION

Stone Age Industries

Eventhough the Early Stone Age collection from Kutch is small, it is repre­sentative as it includes type tools of the industry namely choppers, hand-axes andcleavers. On typo-technological grounds this industry can be divided into twophases. The earlier is represented by the tool types from the site of Angia whichincludes large thick cleaver and chopper like flakes. Flake scars on these tools arelarge and deep thereby indicating crude workmanship. The later phase is representedby tool types from other sites namely Bhajodi, Devisar and Lakhond. The flake

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAT 165

scars on theae tools are shallow and small. Tools exhibit symmetrical and regularoutline and thus show fine workmanship of Acheulian type. Some of the tools areeven found to incorporate a few traits of post-Acheulian tradition. Similar typesof tools were reported from adjoining region of Saurashtra at the site of Dhranga­dhraG which is also situated in the Jurasic formation and forms one contineous belt.

The Middle Stone Age industry has fairly widespread distribution. Theindustry is basically a flake industry, however, it is significant to note that sometools especially from the site of Lakhond near Bhuj are fashioned on nodules orlumps. The Middle Stone Age man has preferred lumps or nodules of suitable sizeand shape as raw materials which are available in abundance at the base of outcropsof quartzites and silicified shales and these are further shaped into desired tooltypes by minimum working. In general, Middle Stone Age industry of Kutch is in noway different from the similar industries found in other part of India and displaysmany cornman characteristic features such as tool-types ,technique and use of rawmaterials.

Geomorphic Observations

Rivers in Kutch are characterised by short courses: ( 50 to 80 km. ) and arealmost dry throughout the year except for a month or two during monSOon andhence can be classed as ephemeral streams.

The phenomenon of aggradation is observed throughout the courses of therivers from their source to mouth. The older alluvium consists of gravel, sand, siltand clay. The thickness of alluvium varies from 8 to 10 m. The gravelly depositsin general are of colluvial nature and are made up of angular pebbles of chert,dolerite and quartzitic sandstones and sub-rounded pebbles of sandstones andlimestones. The pebbles in the modem bed of the rivers are also angular tosubangular thereby suggesting that conditions similar to present were prevailingduring the time of deposition qf older gravel deposits. That is, the rivers were ofephemeral nature and had little water available in their channels for the transportof pebbles. The climate was of semi-arid to arid type like that of today.

At most of the sites, only one gravel phaEe is very well represented andeverywhere this gravel deposit is found to be resting directly on the eroded surfe.ceof country rock. The gravels encountered are of the following types viz. bouldery,pebbly and sandy of which the last two are of common .occurrence. The thicknessof gravels varies from 1to 3 m.

The basal gravels have yielded tools of Middle Stone Age industry at most ofthe sites and tools of Early Stone Age industry at a few places. The gravels areoverlain by kankary silts of yellowish brown colour which attain a thicknessvarying from 5 to 8 mt. and form the top terrace.

The rivers in Kutch are characterised by a number of deep gorges 7 to 10m. deep (PI. III, No.1) and waterfalls along their coutses and have cut througholder alluvium and underlying bed rocks. This phenomenon suggests that riversin the region have rejuvenated courses like most of the rivers of the Deccan. In the

1ti6 Z. n. ANSARI AND R. S. PAPPU

Kutch, tectonic movements were active during the Pleistocene and even at presentthe region is tectonically unstable as evidenced by a number of catastrophicearthquake shocks of the last 300 years. The region is also affected by eustaticchanges. The geomorphic features such as overall aggradation and rejuvenationobserved in the region appear to be as a result of cumulative effect of the twoforces namely tectonic "movements and eustatic changes or might have resulteddue to the effect of one of these forces. However, it is difficult to assess the exactnature of forces responsible for the evolution of particular geomorphic event.

Major portion of adjoining Saurashtra Peninsula was under sea duringEarly Pleistocene times, the evidence of which is supported by the presence ofmarine formations like miliolite limestone, occuring at higher levels. 1 Rajaguru' sstudy 8 along coastal and interior Saurashtra region has shown that there arepresent fresh water clayey deposits (1- 3 m. thick) in between miHolitelimestone beds which suggest change in the agency of deposition. On the basis ofthis evidence, he has postulated that there were interupted changes in levels of seaand land during the Pleistocene. We could not collect any such evidence ofmiliolite limestone during our present survey of Kutch region and hence we haveto rely on the available evidence in the nearby region•.Kutch Peninsula lies justadjacent to Saurashtra and forms part and parcel of one continuous landmass. Itis probable, therefore, that Kutch Peninsula also might have undergone similarg~omorphic events during the Plestocene times.

Dating

The dating of alluvial deposits and associated Stone Age industries is difficultin absence of suitable datable materials. We have, therefore, to fix the chronologyon the basis of cultural units though it is not a correct approach. The depositsyielding tools of Middle Stone Age industr'9 are dated to upper Pleistocene in otherparts of Deccan PeninsulaD

• The older alluvium from some sites in Western Mahar­ashtra has been assigned an upper Pleistocene age on the baRis of a few availableradiocarbon dates. These dates range from 19,000 to 39,000 years B. P. and some ofthe dates are for the lower-motit part of the older alluvium 10. It has now been fairlyestablished from the studies undertaken in different parts of Peninsula by SUPEKAR11

in the Central Narmada valley, RAJGURUI' hl the Western Maharashtra~md PAPPU13

in the Upper Krishna basin that there were dominant aggradational and erosionalphases during upper Pleistocene and Holocene times respectively. These studiessuggest that geomorphic events were more or less contemporary all over the Penin­sula. In the region under study these phases are very well represented. Taking allthe evidences cited above into consideration, we can assign an upper Pleistoceneage for the older alluvium of the Kutch.

In conclusion, our present study has very well brought"out the evidence ofStone Age industries in the present semi-arid region of Kutch. The region wasinhabited during the upper Pleistocene times by Stone Age men and environmentsprevailing then were more or less similar to those of today as suggested by geolog-

ical and geomorphic studies.

STONE AGE IN KUTCH, GUJARAT 167

As mentioned earlier, th~ present work is mainly of a reconJilaissance natureand fairly gives a broad outline of the Prehistory of the region. Detailed work, bothgeomorphic and prehistoric is necessary in the region in order to understand muchmore about the chronology and environment of Early man of the Kutch.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Prof. H. D. Sankalia for giving us an opportunity to carryout exploration in Kutch district and for his valuable suggestions while the paper wasin progress. We are also thankful to Sri. J. M. Nanavati, Director of Archaeology,Gujarat, Ahmedabad, for his help during our exploration work. Our thanks are dueto Sri. D. K. Vaidya, Curator, Kutch Museum, Bhuj for his help during our stay inBhuj and who accompanied us many times during our exploration work. We alsothank Sarvashri. S. K. Kulkarni, Y. S. Rasar, V. K. Nagapure, and C. G. Padawalfor their technical help in preparing the illustrations and Sri. M. G. Abhyankar forneatly typing the press matter.

REFERENCES

1. SANKALIA, H. D. "Early Stone Age in Saurashtra, Gujarat", Miscelanea EnHomenaje Al Abate Henri Breuil, Torno II, pp. 327-340, 1965.

2. Indian Archaeology - A review, 1963-64, p. 10.3. Indian Archaeology - A review, 1967-68, p. 18.4. The account mainly' based on the following books :

a. DIKSHIT, K. R. Geography of Gujarat, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 1970.b. WADIA, D. N. Geology of India, Macmillan, London, 1966.c. WYNNE, A. B. "Geology of Cutch", Memoir Geological Survey of India,

No.9. pt. 1, 1872.d. CAMPBELL, J. A. (ed.) Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, Cutch, Palanpur

and Mahi Kantha, Vol. V, 1880.5. SANKALIA, H. D. "Pre-history and Early History of Kutch", Jour. Gujarat·

Research Society, Vol. XXX, No.4. pp. 233-251, 1968.6. Indian Archaeology - A Review, 1967·68, p. 18.7. PASCOE, E. H. A Manual of Geology of India and Burma, Govt. of India publi­

tion, New Delhi, Vol. III,.p. 1882. 1963.8. Indian Archaeology - A Review, 1967-68, p. 19.9. SANKALIA, H. D. "Middle Stone Age Culture in India", Science, Vol. 146,

No. 3642, pp. 365-375, 1964. .. . ~

to. RAJAGURU, S. N. Late Pleistocene Studies in the Mula Mutha Valley, Ph.D.Unpublished thesis, Poona University, 1970.

11. SUPEKAR, S. G. Pleistocene Stratigraphy and Prehistoric Archaeology of theCentral Narmada Basin, Ph.D. unpublished thesis, 1968.

12. RAJAGURU, S. N. op. cit.13. PAPPU, R. S. Pleistocene Studies in the Upper Krishna Basin, Ph.D., unpublished

thesis, 1966.