Quantifying Shape Variability, Symmetry and Technological Standardization: A Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Acheulean Cleavers from Anangpur in Aravalli Range

Pankaj Bhardwaj

The Lower Palaeolithic site of Anangpur, located in the Aravalli Range of north-western India, has yielded a well-preserved assemblage of Acheulean bifaces that provides important evidence for understanding early hominin technological behaviour in the Indian subcontinent. This paper presents a geometric morphometric analysis of cleavers recovered during the 1991-92 excavation at Anangpur. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate shape variability, bilateral symmetry, and degrees of standardization in order to position the assemblage within broader Acheulean technological traditions. The methodology involves documenting the Cleavers from Anangpur, using high-resolution 3D-scanning technique, which provide detailed digital models for analysis. Landmark and semi-landmark approaches are applied to capture overall tool form, edge morphology, and bilateral symmetry with precision. The resulting data are analysed using Procrustes superimposition and Principal Component Analysis, enabling the assessment of morphological variation and the statistical visualization of shape relationships within the assemblage. Preliminary observations indicate a clear degree of morphological control, with many cleavers exhibiting symmetrical outlines indicative of deliberate and planned bifacial reduction strategies. Concurrently, observable variation reflects differences in reduction intensity and the constraints imposed by locally available quartzite raw material. These findings suggest a balance between technological standardization and adaptive flexibility among Lower Palaeolithic hominins in the Aravalli landscape. By employing geometric morphometrics, this study transcends traditional descriptive typology, offering a statistically robust framework for comparative analyses of Acheulean Cleavers across different regions and highlights the significance of ‘Anangpur’ as a key Lower Palaeolithic locality in South Asia.