Microlithic sites and their paleoenvironmental setting, Southeast India; a reevaluation

Abstract

A reevaluation is presented of the distribution, age, and paleoenvironmental context of the microlithic sites (Tinnevelly Ten Industry) found on Quaternary coastal sediments in southeast India. Microliths were found to occur widely on the red teri sands; as extensive surface scatters and in concentrated ‘sites’. the extent and number of sites is far greater than hitherto known. the occupation/use of the area occurred within the period between late last glacial and mid-Holocene, and it had certainly ceased by 4000 years B.P. Occupation appears to post-date the aeolian deposition of the teri sands, and to be contemporaneous with the deep weathering of the sands during the early-mid Holocene climatic optimum. During this moist phase the sands were stable and densely vegetated, and relatively high (+ 2−3 m) mid-Holocene sea levels led to the formation of lagoons seaward of the tori sands along much of the coastline. the available stratigraphic evidence and radiocarbon dates suggest that this microlithic industry, with geometrical elements, is older than hitherto believed (Zeuner and Allchin, 1956), but not as old as recent suggestions for a similar industry from Sri Lanka (Singhvi et al., 1986).