S45-5

Understanding Laminar Technology and Its Transition in the Indian Subcontinent Through the Palaeolithic Assemblages of the Lower Son Valley, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, India

The Indian Subcontinent has diverse and overlapping Palaeolithic records from at least 1.5 ma onwards. The Middle Palaeolithic currently extends from ~385 to 40 ka, with the youngest Late Acheulean overlapping and dating to as late as 120 ka in the Middle Son Valley. The oldest Upper Palaeolithic (Site 55 in Pakistan) and microlithic phases dated ~48 to 45 ka. These phases in hominin history provide a broad spatial and temporal framework for understanding behaviour and adaptations. Similar spatial and temporal overlaps of several technologies/periods are prevalent throughout the Indian Subcontinent, with the regional Upper Palaeolithic remaining the most perplexing. Different interpretive scenarios such as1) labelling of Upper Palaeolithic and microlithic assemblages together under ‘Late Palaeolithic’ term, 2) considering microlithic industries as a direct development from the Middle Palaeolithic due to climatic deteriorations and 3) not at all in situ development of microliths in India instead coming through dispersal from Africa, 4) along with the site with bone tools (Kurnool caves), engraved ostrich egg shells, and proper stratification of the Middle to late Upper Palaeolithic sequence (Patne) make it extremely difficult to understand what is happening at the intra-site or inter-site levels. However, recent investigations in the Lower Son Valley have produced 61 new sites ranging from the Late Acheulean to the microlithic periods. Of these 61 sites, 51 show the presence of laminar technology (blades and microblades). Overall, a broad congruence was observed compared to other well-known blade assemblages in the Indian Subcontinent. Furthermore, a continuous decrease in size and more systematic production of laminar products are observed over time due to change in raw material exploitation and probably change in subsistence strategies.