Author: J Varaprasada Rao
Publisher: Bharatiya Kala Prakashan
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 240
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8186050744
Description
The book carried out a systematic study of Prehistoric cultures by using geomorphic, ecological and ethnographic analogy as parameters and reconstructed the cultural process of human occupation from hunter-gatherer to early faming and colonizing stage in the Krishna-Tungabhadra Doab. This region was under the threat of submergence by the Srisailam Hydro-Electric Dam project; hence as a part of salvage archeology this task was taken up. The study was done on the new discoveries and also using earlier finds so as to glen the complete picture of the cultural development. There are evidences from Lower Palaeolithic to Megalithic with continuation into early historical sites in the valley occupying along the banks of the rivers. The sites are found in primary and stratified contexts, which enable to understand the development of civilization. It is a micro regional study where more emphasis was given on the prehistoric culture besides dealing the outlines of the Neolithic and Megalithic cultures. The distribution of sites was done in relation to their topographical settings against the background of their ecology, raw materials, water source and Quaternary deposites and established the man-land relationship within the chronological frame work.
The Quaternary deposits were found in the form of High Level Gravels and Older alluvium, some how or other which are related to the sites that help to draw the climatic conditions and atleast there were two cycles of wet and dry climatic phases during Stone Age times. The ethnographic analogy was taken from the local tribe Chenchus who are living contiguous to the Prehistoric sites gave insights as regards the seasonal migrations, types of temporary dwellings, their hunting practices and food economy. Their tools kit is also very significant to have parallels with the Stone Age tools kit. Thus the author had utilized all possible traits in reconstructing the settlement system of the Prehistoric people in the Krishna-Tungabhadra Doab.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
List of figures
List of plates (B&W/ Colour)
List of tables
Abstract
CHAPTERS
INTRODUCTION
Recent Concepts in Prehistoric Studies
Aims and Brief Results of the Study
Text Arrangement
ENVIRONMENT
The Study Area
Physiography
Geology
Upper pre-Cambrain
Upper Pre-Cambrian-Cambrian
Tertiary
Quaternary
Drainage
Soils
Climate
Flora
Fauna
Summary
PREVIOUS DISCOVERIES AND PRESENT INVESTIGATIONS
Previous Discoveries
Present Investigations
Field Investigations
Methodology
The Sites and Stratigraphy and their Topographical Setting
HIGH LEVEL GRAVELS
Short History of High Level Gravels
Classification of Hight Level Gravels
Hypothesises on the Mode of Formation of High Level Gravels
Rock Barrier Hypothesis
Sheet Flood Hypothesis
Tectonic Hypothesis
Present Investigations
Topographical Setting of the Localities
General Observations
Excavation in High Level Gravels at Moravakonda
Laboratory Analysis
Discussion
Geomorphic History of the Basin
Archaeological Implication, Chronology and Conclusion
ARCHAEOLOGY
Lower Palaeolithic
Raw Material
State of Preservation
Technology
Typology
Metrical Analysis of Handaxe Assemblage
Discussion
Other Sites in the Study Area
Sites in the Other Parts of Kurnool District
Sites in the Other Parts of Mahaboobnagar District
Summary
Comparison in the Adjoining Districts
Hyderabad
Anantapur
Cuddapah
Nalgonda
Prakasam
Raichur (Karnataka)
Gulbarga (Karnataka)
Chronology
Middle Palaeolithic
Raw Material
State of Preservation
Technology
Typology
Discussion
Other Sites in the Study Area
Sites in the Other Parts of Kurnool District
Sites in the Other Parts of Mahaboobnagar District
Summary
Comparision in the Adjoining Districts
Hyderabad
Anantapur
Cuddapah
Nalgonda
Prakasam
Raichur (Karnataka)
Gulbarga (Karnataka)
Chronology
Upper Palaeolithic
Sites in the Other Parts of Kurnool District
Sites in the Other Parts of Mahaboobnagar District
Chronology
Mesolithic
Raw Material
State of preservation
Technology
Typology
Discussion
Other Sites in the Study Area
Site in the Other Parts of Kurnool District
Sites in the Other Parts of Mahaboobnagar District
Discussion and Chronology
Neolithic
Veerapuram Locality II (Excavation)
Pottery
Ground Stone Industry
Other Sites in the Study Area
Sites in the Other parts of Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar Districts
Discussion
Chronology
Summary
PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT PATTERN
Introduction
Development of Settlement Pattern
Ethnographic Analogy
Ethnographic Analogy and its Relevance to Archaeology
Definition of Ethnoarchaeology
Ethnographic Data of the Present Study
Chenchus
Settlement Pattern of Chenchus
House Types
Subsistence Strategies of the Chenchus
Palaeolithic Settlement Pattern
Lower Palaeolithic
Middle Palaeolithic
Upper Palaeolithic
Upper Palaeolithic
Mesolithic
Palaeoecology and Subsistence Economy of Palaeolithic People
Summary
Summary and conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Plates