S45-4

Palaeolithic Sites and Their Spatial Distribution in the Middle Berach Basin, Chittorgarh District, Rajasthan

Swati Verma & Vrushab Mahesh

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India

Situating the Palaeolithic record in Rajasthan is one of the most significant avenues for a better understanding of hominin dispersals into South Asia and their behavioural adaptations. This region, located on the presumed route of hominin dispersal into South Asia, is characterised by diverse climatic zones, ranging from arid to semi-arid environments, in addition to the abundance of raw material. Within this diverse landscape, the semi-arid region of the Berach basin is located between the arid Thar desert on its west and the subtropical lands of the Vindhyas on its east. Despite studies on Palaeolithic occurrences being investigated here since the 1950s, the potential to answer significant questions concerning hominin adaptations in South Asia is less explored, with most studies being restricted to typo technological studies and descriptive notes of their distributions. Recent surveys carried out in this region yielded several Lower and Late Palaeolithic sites in different geological formations such as Aravalli, Vindhyan, and Bhilwara Supergroup. Furthermore, it was observed that there appears to be a preference for specific raw materials that are found in distinct localities that were used for tool production. This paper presents the results of recent studies conducted in this geographically pivotal region to understand the hominin adaptations in the region. Furthermore, comparisons with contemporary assemblages of the neighbouring Luni, Banas, and Narmada valley will be made to draw comparisons about subsistence strategies and adaptations in the near future.