Recent findings on the Acheulian of the Hunsgi and Baichbal valleys, Karnataka, with special reference to the Isampur excavation and its dating

Abstract

Surface survey and excavations for the past five years (1997-2001) at the Lower Palaeolithic (Acheulian) site of Isampur in northern Karnataka, have yielded significant data on the Pleistocene hominid record of the Indiansubcontinent. At Isampur, a quarry-cum-workshop site has been identified where all stages in the Acheulian tool manufacturing process at the raw material source (siliceous limestone from the Middle Bhima Series) have been preserved. These data are providing extremely significant insights into hominid cognitive capabilities, their technological organization and landscape usage. Preliminary ESR dating results for two teeth from this site average > 1.2 Ma.