Preliminary Observations: Palaeolithic Investigations at Kibbanahalli, southern Karnataka

Abstract

Despite almost a century of research at the Palaeolithic locality of Kibbanahalli, South Karnataka, fundamental details such as the stratigraphy, and lithic assemblage structure require further considerations. This study was undertaken to reinvestigate this site and to further understand the present day distribution pattern of Palaeolithic localities in the region surrounding this site. This paper seeks to employ, on a regional scale, a multidisciplinary approach involving archaeology, geology and geomorphology, to address questions regarding the nature of Palaeolithic sites in the region. Preliminary results have shown that there seems to be an occupation of this region by Palaeolithic populations employing an Acheulian tradition on both flake and natural blanks. The lithic assemblages collected suggest that the locally available raw material was subjected to two parallel reduction sequences, and includes cores, flakes, tools and waste products. A study of the distribution pattern and modern day land-use practices in the region imply a role played by the changing trends of land-use on the observed distribution of the Palaeolithic archaeological record.