From Stones to Screens: Technological, Experimental and 3D Geometric Morphometric Studies of Bifaces from Lower Palaeolithic Sites in South India

Prachi Joshi1*, Kumar Akhilesh1, Mohamed Sahnouni2, Sutonuka Bhattacharya1, and Shanti Pappu1,3

Here, we discuss studies of bifaces from the Lower Palaeolithic site of Sendrayanpalayam (SEN), Tamil Nadu, South India, with a view to investigating the behavioural implications of observed variability. This excavated site has two layers rich in Lower Palaeolithic artefacts (Layers 2 and 3), bearing Acheulian and core-and-flake assemblages, respectively. We present information on the nature of bifaces and the reduction strategies noted in the Acheulian horizons of Layer 2. In addition to quantitative and qualitative studies, 3D geometric morphometric analyses of handaxes and cleavers were conducted to explore variability between designated tool types, spatial variability across the site, and a comparative study with bifaces from neighbouring Lower Palaeolithic excavated sites in the region (Attirampakkam and Parikulam). We examine issues related to raw material, blank types, and the influences of different technological strategies adopted for obtaining large flake blanks and subsequently flaking them into a range of handaxes and diverse cleavers. We then compare bifaces from these sites with globally available data and explore issues related to the causes of morphological and technological variability.