Heat Treatment of Stone during the Late Pleistocene at Mehtakheri, Central India

Neetu Agarwal

Observations on the microblade assemblage from Mehtakheri in Central India dated to ~ 48 ka, combined with experimental studies pointed towards heat treatment of stone for knapping stone tools at the site. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the assemblage was undertaken combining archaeometric, experimental, and ethnographic approaches to evaluate the role of heat treatment in Late Pleistocene stone tool production at Mehtakheri. Visual macroscopic analysis of the archaeological assemblage based on changes colour, texture, lustre, and presence of potlids, crazing, cracks, fractures, etc confirmed the presence of heat treatment of stone at the site. The intensity of heat treatment was assessed through changes in chemical composition and microstructure. The study showed extensive thermal alteration of stone highlighting the role of controlled use of fire and heat treatment in the knapping of microblades.