microlithic settlements in lower ranj stream, district ... settlements in lower ranj stream,...

Microlithic Settlements in Lower Ranj Stream, District Bargarh, Western Odisha: A Preliminary Report

Sudam Deep1 and Subodha Mendaly2 1. D.A.V. (Autonomous) College, Titilagarh, Bolangir – 767042, Odisha, India (Email:

[email protected]) 2. P. G. Department of History, Sambalpur University, Odisha-768019, India (Email:

[email protected])

Received: 13 August 2016; Accepted: 21 September 2016; Revised: 24 October 2016 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016): 293-311

Abstract: This paper is base on the surface exploration made by author in the year 2013-14 in the Ranj stream, a tributary of Jira river system in the Bargarh upland. We have aimed to locate Stone Age sites through extensive exploration and then making a detailed study of their associated feature. A total number of 15 sites have discovered and out of which only six site of lower part of Ranj stream have been taken into detail typo-technological analysis. The tools collected from site gave a gradual development of stone tool technology. Occurrences of these cultural remains show that the Ranj stream was a favorable area for prehistoric settlement. Contemporary ethnographic correlates also recorded in order to attempt to reconstruct the stone subsistence – settlement system of the area.

Keywords: Microlith, Typo-Technology, Raw Material, Artifact, Ranj Stream, Bargarh, Odisha

Introduction Field investigations over two seasons in Bargarh upland have led to the discovery of 15 prehistoric sites including both isolated scatters as well as rich clusters of stone tools belonging to various techno-chronological periods. These sites have been mapped, documented and their various contexts will be described. The stone tool assemblages from all the sites have also studied in detail, including their dimensions and technological attributes. This has help to understand the patterns of regional prehistory and its associated feature, as well as it is indicate that this region is very important for the prehistoric research point of view. The study of prehistoric sites depends on the archeological remains, which are found scattered over a vast geographical area in a different condition. Previous research works conducted by many scholars in different part of Orissa revealed that, very few stratified sites have been reported from western Orissa and majority of the archeological finding have randomly collected from eroded surface (Mohanty 1992: 207-232; Basa 2002: 16-61; Behera 2006:1-62; Mendaly and Hussain 2015: 346-369). Thus, we have made an effort to explore the Ranj and its

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tributaries to understand the prehistoric human colonization of this area during late Pleistocene. All the streams had been explored properly, as a result 15 microlithic sites were discovered. In this paper, we are discuss on lower part of Ranj stream which brought to light six microlithic bearing sites and all the sites has taken for detail metrical and typo-technological analysis

Figure 1: Lithic assemblage composition in Lower Ranj Stream

Area of Present Study The Bargarh district lies between 20east longitude. The Ranj river constitutes one of the major tributaries of the river Jira (Fig. 2). The river flows though the newly formed Bargarh district of Orissa. The river Ranj originates from near the villaor about more than 45 km in southJira near the village Samlaipadar. The important seasonal streams joining Jira River are the Bargarh Nala, Nuagaon Nala, Baunsenmura Nala, Barpali Jhor etc.the greater part of the country is apparently derived from underlying metamorphic rocks and the differences found in it are mainly due to the elimination and transportation effected by surface ervariety of land forms ranging from low lands to chain of hills of various height and valleys. The climate of this area is characterized by long warm summers and cold winters. The cold season commences frFebruary. The hot season follows thereafter and continues until about the second week of June, the south-west monsoon season is from mid June to the end of September. The climate of this area support mostly dryresembling that of the semi-arid and subspecies, with the Sal are found certain of its usual associates. The average annual precipitation in the district is 1527mm. about 90received in the monsoon season

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Core Flake

21%

55%

Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4: 2016

e prehistoric human colonization of this area during late All the streams had been explored properly, as a result 15 microlithic sites

were discovered. In this paper, we are discuss on lower part of Ranj stream which rolithic bearing sites and all the sites has taken for detail

technological analysis (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Lithic assemblage composition in Lower Ranj Stream

The Bargarh district lies between 200 43' to 210 41' North latitude and 820 39' to 83east longitude. The Ranj river constitutes one of the major tributaries of the river Jira

The river flows though the newly formed Bargarh district of Orissa. The river Ranj originates from near the village Birhipali in the district Bargarh and after flowing or about more than 45 km in south-eastern direction it joins the right bank of the river Jira near the village Samlaipadar. The important seasonal streams joining Jira River are

on Nala, Baunsenmura Nala, Barpali Jhor etc. The soil covers the greater part of the country is apparently derived from underlying metamorphic rocks and the differences found in it are mainly due to the elimination and transportation effected by surface erosion. The vegetation growth of this area stand in a variety of land forms ranging from low lands to chain of hills of various height and valleys. The climate of this area is characterized by long warm summers and cold winters. The cold season commences from November and lasts until the end of February. The hot season follows thereafter and continues until about the second week

west monsoon season is from mid June to the end of September. The climate of this area support mostly dry-mixed-Deciduous type of forest, closely

arid and sub-tropical zone, with Sal being dominant plant species, with the Sal are found certain of its usual associates. The average annual precipitation in the district is 1527mm. about 90 percent of the annual rainfall is received in the monsoon season –July being the rainiest month in the year.

Flake Blade Bladelet Fragments Chunks

55%

6% 7%1%

10%

Artefact Type

e prehistoric human colonization of this area during late All the streams had been explored properly, as a result 15 microlithic sites

were discovered. In this paper, we are discuss on lower part of Ranj stream which rolithic bearing sites and all the sites has taken for detail

39' to 830 58' east longitude. The Ranj river constitutes one of the major tributaries of the river Jira

The river flows though the newly formed Bargarh district of Orissa. The river ge Birhipali in the district Bargarh and after flowing

eastern direction it joins the right bank of the river Jira near the village Samlaipadar. The important seasonal streams joining Jira River are

The soil covers the greater part of the country is apparently derived from underlying metamorphic rocks and the differences found in it are mainly due to the elimination and

osion. The vegetation growth of this area stand in a variety of land forms ranging from low lands to chain of hills of various height and valleys. The climate of this area is characterized by long warm summers and cold

om November and lasts until the end of February. The hot season follows thereafter and continues until about the second week

west monsoon season is from mid June to the end of September. The Deciduous type of forest, closely

tropical zone, with Sal being dominant plant species, with the Sal are found certain of its usual associates. The average annual

percent of the annual rainfall is

Deep and Mendaly 2016: 293-311

295

Figure: Map of the Study area

Distribution of Sites Tentelpali The site Tentelpali situated about 300 meter south of the right bank of the river Ranj. It is nearly 10 kilometer southwest of Barpali Township and 2 kilometer north of the village Tentelpali. It has an elevation of 176 mtrs above mean sea level. It lies between 210 07' 14.3" N longitudes and 830 33' 05.7" E, latitude. The site spread over an area of 100 sq meters. Sandy-silty top soil of the site has been completely eroded leaving extensive patches of artefacts. A total number of 429 specimens were collected from a small area measuring 20m x 20m, which are made on chert, quartz, chalcedony etc. Almost all the exposed artefacts are in mint fresh condition. The overall assemblage composition of Tentelpali clearly demonstrates that flake has got a dominant position in the blank group (62.58%) like the previous. Only a number of 76 cores have been yielded. Bladelets form only 7.69% in the assemblage; it has maximally been utilized in the production of tools (36.36%) (Figs. 3a and 3b). The percentage of chunks is only 13.55%. It is very obvious that although flake elements is predominant in the assemblage it remains basically a bladelet oriented industry because greater percentage of Bladelet has been used for tool manufacturing in comparison to flake blank. Greater concentration of Bladelet may be regarded as one of the important typological features of this site. The metric analysis of lithic component is as follows (Table 1).

Daliapali The village Dalaipali situated at a distance of 4 kilometers east of Rabanguda. It is nearly 8 kilometer south west of Barpali Township. The exact site located in the left bank of river Ranj at a distance of 40m and about a kilometer south of the village Dalaipali. It has elevation of 175mtrs above mean sea level. It lies between 210 07' 28.5" N longitudes and 830 32' 59.9" E latitude. The site spread over an area of 200 sq.mtrs. The site is located on the eroded gravelly surface of a raised mound near the village. Here artefacts were found on the eroded surface of a compact, clayey deposit. The

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Figure 3a: Microliths exposed on surface, Tentelpali

Figure 3b: Microlithic tool from Tentel Pali


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Table 1: Metrics of Tools from Tentelpali LENGTH ( in mm) Core Flake Blade Bladelet MAXIMUM 46 51 55 35 MINIMUM 13 10 22 12 AVERAGE 24.71 23.11 38.11 20.71 STDEV 6.73 0.68 11.08 5.84 COEFF. OF VARIATION 27.26 29.08 30.68 28.19 WIDTH ( in mm) MAXIMUM 40 36 29 12 MINIMUM 9 8 11 5 AVERAGE 20.74 18.88 17.88 8.71 STDEV 5.71 4.45 6.45 2.21 COEFF. OF VARIATION 27.56 36.05 26.95 25.43 THICKNESS ( in mm) MAXIMUM 45 19 14 8 MINIMUM 6 3 3 3 AVERAGE 14.44 6.53 9.00 4.28 STDEV 6.33 2.31 3.31 1.53 COEFF. OF VARIATION 43.89 36.85 43.35 36.25 SAMPLES 59 140 10 21

lithic scatters, which occurs in the form of several clusters. In respect of general topography, raw material and techno-typology, this industry is closely resembles with Preceding site of Tentelpali. A total number of 324 specimens were randomly collected measuring 20m x 20m from the eroded surface of uppermost brownish clayey deposit. At this site also artefacts of the microlithic component are made on red and green chert, chalcedony and quartz. The assemblage composition reflects that flakes again occupy a dominant position in the blank group (48.76%). This suggests that the large majority of the flakes might have been detached during the process of core rejuvenation and preparation methods. Although bladelets form only 5.24% in the assemblage, it has maximally been utilized in the production of tools (41.17%).Seventy-four flakes are fresh and 16 are utilized/edge damaged. Production of blade is very rare in this industry. The percentage of chunks is only 20.67%. The metrics of microlithic component is indicated in the following table (Table 2).

Bhatigaon The village Bhatigaon is situated about 9 kilometer east of Dalaipali on the right bank of river Ranj and nearly 10 kilometers from Barpali township. The exact site is situated about 1 kilometer north of the village Bhatigaon near a rocky knob and only 40m distance from the river bank. It has elevation of 175mtrs above mean sea level. It lies between 210 07' 51.9" N longitudes and 830 35' 08.2" E latitude. The site spread over an area of 50 sq.mtrs. The nearby area of the site is destroyed due to cultivation. A total number of 192 artefacts were collected from the eroded surface of the rocky knob


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Table 3: Metrics of Tools from Dalaipali LENGTH ( in mm) Core Flake Blade Bladelet MAXIMUM 45 38 39 30 MINIMUM 10 13 28 9 AVERAGE 23.46 22.86 32.00 20.66 STDEV 7.48 5.62 9.81 4.47 COEFF. OF VARIATION 28.94 26.14 27.64 21.58 WIDTH ( in mm) MAXIMUM 48 35 17 12 MINIMUM 9 9 14 7 AVERAGE 22.67 16.88 17.25 10.63 STDEV 7.20 4.88 4.03 3.04 COEFF. OF VARIATION 31.77 28.91 23.36 28.60 THICKNESS ( in mm) MAXIMUM 32 20 14 7 MINIMUM 6 3 10 3 AVERAGE 16.19 7.10 9.25 4.45 STDEV 6.99 3.15 2.75 1.69 COEFF. OF VARIATION 43.20 44.39 29.77 38.04 SAMPLES 46 142 04 11

Table: 3 Metrics of Tools from Bhatigaon LENGTH ( in mm) Core Flake Blade Bladelet MAXIMUM 35 38 32 25 MINIMUM 10 10 22 12 AVERAGE 21.34 22.11 27.00 19.28 STDEV 5.63 5.69 5.00 4.27 COEFF. OF VARIATION 26.39 25.73 18.51 22.14 WIDTH ( in mm) MAXIMUM 32 41 16 11 MINIMUM 10 10 12 6 AVERAGE 19.84 17.84 13.33 9.42 STDEV 5.91 5.66 2.30 1.71 COEFF. OF VARIATION 29.81 31.77 17.32 18.22 THICKNESS ( in mm) MAXIMUM 31 16 9 7 MINIMUM 7 3 6 3 AVERAGE 13.80 7.20 7.33 4.57 STDEV 5.44 2.41 1.52 1.27 COEFF. OF VARIATION 39.45 33.45 20.82 27.33 SAMPLES 26 63 03 07


299

Figure 4: Microlithic assemblage from Bhatigaon

measuring 10m x 10m. At this site artefacts of the microlith components are made variously on chert, chalcedony, agate and quartz of fine and milky variety. The study of cultural assemblage shows that flakes and bladelets have partially been utilized for tool production, though flakes predominates the blanks groups (Fig. 4). However, all the 20 cores recovered from this site belong to the category of Bladelet cores. The presence of Blade (0.52%) is negligible. The percentage of chunks is only 6.94%. Only 7.69% of the fragments have been found retouched. The following table shows the metrics of this site (Table 3).


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Patkulunda The site of Patkulunda is situated about 12 kilometers north east of Bhatigaon on the right bank of the river Ranj and about 8 kilometer form Barpali township. The site is around 100 mtrs distance from the river bank. It has elevation of 214mtrs above mean sea level. It lies between 210 11' 42.9" N longitudes and 830 40'12.6" E, latitude. The site spread over an area of 50 sq.mtrs. Here artefacts were found on the eroded surface of sandy-clayey deposit. Random sampling of artefacts was done from a small area measuring 15m x15m, that yielded 288 specimens. At this site, also artifacts of the microlith component are made on red chert, chalcedony and quartz. The overall assemblage composition demonstrates that flakes only occupy a dominant position in the blank group (49.65%).Percent of core is 33.68%. Although bladelets form only 6.59% in the assemblage, it has maximally been utilized in the production of tools (26.31%). The percentage of chunks is only 6.94%. In view of the above the predominance of flake elements in the assemblage it remains basically a bladelet oriented industry because greater percentage of Blade has been used for tool manufacturing in comparison to flake blank. This site is lacking tools in fragments (Table 4).

Table 4: Metrics of Tools from Patkulunda LENGTH ( in mm) Core Flake Blade Bladelet

MAXIMUM 59 47 35 31

MINIMUM 13 12 28 13

AVERAGE 25.26 22.64 31.50 20.30

STDEV 7.54 6.08 4.94 5.41

COEFF. OF VARIATION 29.85 26.87 15.71 26.68

WIDTH ( in mm)

MAXIMUM 69 42 18 13

MINIMUM 12 9 15 8

AVERAGE 22.71 19.72 16.50 10.60

STDEV 8.17 5.96 2.12 1.71


THICKNESS ( in mm)

MAXIMUM 42 27 15 16

MINIMUM 7 9 11 3

AVERAGE 15.01 7.68 13.00 6.20

STDEV 5.90 3.80 2.82 3.91


SAMPLES 67 73 02 11

Barikel The village Barikel is situated at distance of about 5 kilometer from Patkulunda. The exact site is situated about 1 kilometer east of the village Barikel on the right bank of river Ranj. It has elevation of 157mtrs above mean sea level. It N longitudes and 830 40'44.9" E, latitude. The site is around 150 mtrs distance from the confluence of river Ranj and Jira. In this site lithic scatters in the form of several clusters which are spread over 1 kilometer area along5a). Thick brownish coloured sandyhas been completely eroded, leaving extensive patches of artifacts. Along the foot hill there is a small drain to the river Ranj, which gives some exposed sections. The artefacts were found associated with calcium carbonate nodules. Artefacts were randomly collected from the surface of a small portion of the site measuring 30mx 30mwhich yielded 356 artefacts. The collection of microlithic component includes red chert, green chert, chalcedony and quartz of fine and milky variety analysis demonstrates the richness of Flake (46.91%) blank. Various tools are also made on flakes, blades, and bladePercentage of tool is very low in all the blank forms. This site has only 30 tools in number. There is good representation of bladelets, but few bladelets (25.00%) have been utilized. However, the core group is dominated by baldeThe proportion chunks or chips (11.23%) are equally low. From the techno typological points of view, the assemblages of Barikel, may be compared with that of Patkulunda (Table 5).

Figure 5a: General View of Barikel site

Deep and Mendaly 2016:

The village Barikel is situated at distance of about 5 kilometer from Patkulunda. The exact site is situated about 1 kilometer east of the village Barikel on the right bank of river Ranj. It has elevation of 157mtrs above mean sea level. It lies between 21

40'44.9" E, latitude. The site is around 150 mtrs distance from the confluence of river Ranj and Jira. In this site lithic scatters in the form of several clusters which are spread over 1 kilometer area along the foot hill of Barikel reserve forest

Thick brownish coloured sandy-silt top soil of the undulating surface of the cliff has been completely eroded, leaving extensive patches of artifacts. Along the foot hill there is a small drain to the river Ranj, which gives some exposed sections. The

tefacts were found associated with calcium carbonate nodules. Artefacts were randomly collected from the surface of a small portion of the site measuring 30mx 30mwhich yielded 356 artefacts. The collection of microlithic component includes red

chert, chalcedony and quartz of fine and milky variety (Fig. 5b).analysis demonstrates the richness of Flake (46.91%) blank. Various tools are also made on flakes, blades, and blade-bladelets. In assemblage composition of Barikel,

of tool is very low in all the blank forms. This site has only 30 tools in number. There is good representation of bladelets, but few bladelets (25.00%) have been utilized. However, the core group is dominated by balde-bladelet cores (26.68%).

on chunks or chips (11.23%) are equally low. From the techno typological points of view, the assemblages of Barikel, may be compared with that of Patkulunda

Figure 5a: General View of Barikel site


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The village Barikel is situated at distance of about 5 kilometer from Patkulunda. The exact site is situated about 1 kilometer east of the village Barikel on the right bank of

lies between 210 12' 03.7" 40'44.9" E, latitude. The site is around 150 mtrs distance from the

confluence of river Ranj and Jira. In this site lithic scatters in the form of several clusters the foot hill of Barikel reserve forest (Fig.

silt top soil of the undulating surface of the cliff has been completely eroded, leaving extensive patches of artifacts. Along the foot hill there is a small drain to the river Ranj, which gives some exposed sections. The

tefacts were found associated with calcium carbonate nodules. Artefacts were randomly collected from the surface of a small portion of the site measuring 30mx 30mwhich yielded 356 artefacts. The collection of microlithic component includes red

5b). The lithic analysis demonstrates the richness of Flake (46.91%) blank. Various tools are also made

bladelets. In assemblage composition of Barikel, of tool is very low in all the blank forms. This site has only 30 tools in

number. There is good representation of bladelets, but few bladelets (25.00%) have bladelet cores (26.68%).

on chunks or chips (11.23%) are equally low. From the techno typological points of view, the assemblages of Barikel, may be compared with that of Patkulunda


302

Figure 5b: Microliths from Barikel

Govindpur The village Govindpur is located some 12 kilometer east of Barpali township and about 3 kilometer east of the right bank of the river Ranj and 2 kilometer form the confluence of river Ranj and Jira. It has elevation of 175mtrs above mean sea level. It lies between 210 9' 49.7" N longitudes and 830 39'55.9" E, latitude. The site is located on the eroded gravelly surface of a raised mound near the village. It is part of Tulundi


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Table 5: Metrics of Tools from Bariikel LENGTH ( in mm) Core Flake Blade Bladelet MAXIMUM 68 59 45 28 MINIMUM 14 10 23 14 AVERAGE 25.71 22.50 32.76 22.50 STDEV 7.91 6.70 5.91 4.05 COEFF. OF VARIATION 30.79 26.78 18.04 18.02 WIDTH ( in mm) MAXIMUM 46 58 20 13 MINIMUM 11 7 13 8 AVERAGE 22.31 19.03 16.17 10.83 STDEV 6.79 7.32 2.32 1.19 COEFF. OF VARIATION 30.45 38.47 14.37 11.01 THICKNESS ( in mm) MAXIMUM 42 33 11 9 MINIMUM 6 3 4 3 AVERAGE 18.85 7.18 6.64 5.91 STDEV 6.66 3.77 2.31 1.72 COEFF. OF VARIATION 42.03 52.61 34.85 29.23 SAMPLES 73 101 17 12

Table 6: Metrics of Tools from Govindapur LENGTH ( in mm) Core Flake Blade Bladelet MAXIMUM 45 39 47 28 MINIMUM 12 11 24 15 AVERAGE 25.86 21.50 35.50 20.72 STDEV 7.48 5.62 9.81 4.47 COEFF. OF VARIATION 28.94 26.14 27.64 21.58 WIDTH ( in mm) MAXIMUM 42 39 22 18 MINIMUM 10 9 13 8 AVERAGE 22.67 16.58 17.25 10.63 STDEV 7.20 4.88 4.03 3.04 COEFF. OF VARIATION 31.77 28.91 23.36 28.60 THICKNESS ( in mm) MAXIMUM 36 21 12 7 MINIMUM 7 3 6 3 AVERAGE 16.19 7.10 9.25 4.45 STDEV 6.99 3.15 2.75 1.69 COEFF. OF VARIATION 43.20 44.39 29.77 38.04 SAMPLES 46 142 04 11


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Figure 6: Microlithic from Govindpur

reserve forest. Here lithic scatters in the form of several clusters, which are, spread over 1 kilometer area along the foot hill of Tulundi reserve forest. The top soil of the foot hill has been eroded partially. A total of 402 artefacts made on chert, jasper and agate raw materials, was collected from the eroded surface at the site measuring 15m x15m (Figure 6). The macro assemblage composition clearly demonstrate that flakes not only occupy a dominant position in the un retouched blank group (86.84%) but also in the assemblage (63.18%). Blade forms 3.23% which is 13 in number. Out of this, 6 Blades (46.15%) are utilized as tools. Bladelet forms 8.24% in the assemblage; it has also been utilized in the production of tools (27.77%). Tools are also present in proximal part the

fragments. In view of the above it can be said this is a flake dominated industry. Cores comprise of 14.17% of the assemblage where as chunk consists of 12.68%. Proximal end is dominant in fragments (Table

Raw Material Exploitation The geological formation in the study area includes the Archaean and Chudappah formations. The main rock formations are granite, quartzite, quartz, sand stone, and chert and lime stone. Large occurrences of quartzite, river pebbles, coboulders are abundantly found in the Bargarh upland. Basically five types of raw material such as Chert, Quartz, Chalcedony, Agate and Quartzite have been observed in the explored area (Figure 7edges after breaking (Seong 2004:73all across the river valley. There are two types of quartz common in this area such as crystal quartz and milky quartz. The source of quart has been observed on the fooof Tulundi Reserve forest and Barikel reserve forest. Besides quartz occurrence has been found in the right bank of river Ranj near Jaring village. The chert is the second common raw material utilized in the Ranj stream for microlith production, howsome sites it is the most dominating material used. There are three different forms of chert nodules which have been utilized in the study area; the river pebble, hill slope nodules and outcrop chunks. Majority of the sites have utilised the riversource of raw material. Chalcedony occurs in the Bargarh Upland within the basalt and lime stone area. It contains a mixture of crystal and silica. Chalcedony is found in the tributaries Ranj but its occurrence and use is limited in nature. Howcommonly found at the sites located in the Ranj stream (

Figure 7: Raw material

40%

Deep and Mendaly 2016:

fragments. In view of the above it can be said this is a flake dominated industry. Cores comprise of 14.17% of the assemblage where as chunk consists of 12.68%. Proximal end

(Table 6).

xploitation Strategy The geological formation in the study area includes the Archaean and Chudappah formations. The main rock formations are granite, quartzite, quartz, sand stone, and chert and lime stone. Large occurrences of quartzite, river pebbles, coboulders are abundantly found in the Bargarh upland. Basically five types of raw material such as Chert, Quartz, Chalcedony, Agate and Quartzite have been observed

Figure 7). Quartz has very large crystals which produce sharedges after breaking (Seong 2004:73-91). It is the most dominating material and found all across the river valley. There are two types of quartz common in this area such as crystal quartz and milky quartz. The source of quart has been observed on the fooof Tulundi Reserve forest and Barikel reserve forest. Besides quartz occurrence has been found in the right bank of river Ranj near Jaring village. The chert is the second common raw material utilized in the Ranj stream for microlith production, howsome sites it is the most dominating material used. There are three different forms of chert nodules which have been utilized in the study area; the river pebble, hill slope nodules and outcrop chunks. Majority of the sites have utilised the river source of raw material. Chalcedony occurs in the Bargarh Upland within the basalt and lime stone area. It contains a mixture of crystal and silica. Chalcedony is found in the

but its occurrence and use is limited in nature. However, Agate is also commonly found at the sites located in the Ranj stream (Table 7).

Figure 7: Raw materials used in Lower Ranj Stream

35%

12%6%

7%

Chert

Chalcedony

Agate

Quartz

Cherty Agate


305

fragments. In view of the above it can be said this is a flake dominated industry. Cores comprise of 14.17% of the assemblage where as chunk consists of 12.68%. Proximal end

The geological formation in the study area includes the Archaean and Chudappah formations. The main rock formations are granite, quartzite, quartz, sand stone, and chert and lime stone. Large occurrences of quartzite, river pebbles, cobbles and boulders are abundantly found in the Bargarh upland. Basically five types of raw material such as Chert, Quartz, Chalcedony, Agate and Quartzite have been observed

). Quartz has very large crystals which produce sharp 91). It is the most dominating material and found

all across the river valley. There are two types of quartz common in this area such as crystal quartz and milky quartz. The source of quart has been observed on the foot hill of Tulundi Reserve forest and Barikel reserve forest. Besides quartz occurrence has been found in the right bank of river Ranj near Jaring village. The chert is the second common raw material utilized in the Ranj stream for microlith production, however in some sites it is the most dominating material used. There are three different forms of chert nodules which have been utilized in the study area; the river pebble, hill slope

pebbles as source of raw material. Chalcedony occurs in the Bargarh Upland within the basalt and lime stone area. It contains a mixture of crystal and silica. Chalcedony is found in the

ever, Agate is also

Chert

Chalcedony

Agate

Quartz

Cherty Agate


306

Table 7: Site wise raw material distribution Sl.No Raw materials/ Sites TLP BTG DLP GNP PKD BKL Total 1 Brown chert 15 10 0 10 7 0 42 2 Green Chert 9 9 15 26 26 21 106 3 Black Chert 9 10 31 9 17 17 93 4 Grey Chert 2 0 10 1 1 0 14 5 Banded Reddish Chert 11 1 3 5 9 1 30 6 Agate 29 6 13 6 9 11 14 7 Chalcedony 2 10 34 73 35 1 155 8 Blueish Greyish Chert 13 6 6 34 9 0 68 9 Coffee Colored Chert 13 5 23 28 18 2 89 10 Reddish off White Chert 13 4 0 20 1 0 38 11 Cherty Agate 21 2 5 48 13 3 92 12 Milky quartz 141 92 59 0 41 199 532 13 Crystal Quartz 4 9 5 0 0 18 36 14 Yellowish grey Agate 0 0 4 22 12 4 42 15 Brownish Greenish chert 0 0 0 0 0 8 8

Total 282 164 208 282 198 285 1419

Study of Microlithic technology in Lower Ranj Different shapes of cores have been found in the study area, i.e. multiple platform cores single platform cores, cores in opposed platform on same surface, cores in opposed platform on opposite side, discoidal core and levallois core etc. Core are belonging to the late microlithic period are cylindrical fluted cores with one or more platforms, in single direction, double directions rarely presence of multidirectional platforms. Those core which have absolutely conical distal end shows use of pressure techniques. The presence of fluted cores indicates that blades have been prepared in a controlled way (Anderfsky 1998). Fluted cores with vertical groves are prepared and hence blades are flaked out of it. Cores were used for producing thin, parallel sided flakes and blades. The blade length thickness varies according to the technique and size of the core used and the small sizes of the core suggest indirect percussion used for making the tools (Sankalia 1984:33, Mishra 1986: 111-122). The natural surfaces of 12% of the cores have been utilized for initial striking platforms. The tools were made mainly on flakes and blades. The microlithic tools were prepared on flakes and blades were detached by giving them steep secondary retouches on one or both edges, usually to blunt, but sometimes to sharpen, the edge. It is observed that a few cores have only initial trimming flakes and only after removing one or two flakes, the cores were abandoned. This kind of behavior might be because of the impurities in the raw materials or inexperience in handling the nodules in terms of their shapes or hardness.

Cores having higher numbers of platforms have shown that such specimens are more intensively reduced and also produce a lot of core rejuvenation flakes. This may be also be interpreted as the lack of good raw material in nearby areas; therefore all the cores


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were intensively worked to produce more blades out of them (Dobosi 1991: 197-204; Crabtree 1967: 8-24). Some of the blade cores have sharp edges at their base and could have also served as core scrapers. Typical flake cores are very common, even the number of flake-blade cores is more as compared to the blade cores. It appears that the microlithic people were more careful about removing blades from the cores. During the core preparation, it was required to remove some flakes and those debitage as well as flakes were possibly used as flake tools for different purposes. The cortical flakes are larger than the non-cortical flakes. From the first generation of flake removal, it is easy to understand the size of the original nodules or pebbles (Bamforth 1990:75-104; Bar-Yosef 1991: 235-50). It has been seen that the core blank, which is meant for production of blades, has been sometimes found at the site without further modification or reduction (Anderfsky 1998; Hissock 2002: 163-77). Simple blades, straight-backed blades, parallel sided blades, burins, borers, various types of scrapers, points, backed points, lunates, points are the common tools found. Many flakes have also been used as tools evidence for which is use-wear marks on the flakes which are called utilized flakes. Keeping in mind the occurrence of a different variety of tools at a site may provide greater variety of utility in exploiting greater range of plant and animal food activities in the hunting gathering process. Variability in artifact frequencies may also be attributed to seasonal fluctuations in subsistence activities (Cooper 1983).

It is worth to note here that besides stone tools also the prehistoric people must have adopted a number of techniques for food collection, process and their manipulation (Bar-Yosef 1991:235-250). Certain groups of organic material such as bone, antler, wood, leather and tools made on them hardly survive in the tropical climate, e.g. acidic nature of soil, etc. (Mohanty 1992). Use of soft hammer is recognized in the assemblages as they bear very thin and elongated flake scars on some of the cores and finished artefacts (Anderfsky 1998). Even the notches found on the microliths much have been used for hafting bone or wooden shaft for its efficient application in hunting this technological innovation marked the increased in number of sites and population during this period (Petraglia et al. 2009: 1261-66). The continuing presence of blades, micro-blades and backed tools for a longer duration in the late Pleistocene to mid Holocene suggests that such tool types played a big role in the late Paleolithic technology for successful hunting- gathering and food collecting technology (Bar-Yosef and Kuhn, 1999). In absence of ethnographic data, exact functions of tool types are difficult to explain but use-wear and trace element studies can answer only a few questions relating to the type of food material processed with these types of tools.

Discussion and Conclusion The majority of the prehistoric sites in the study area were found on the foothills. Older surfaces, pediments are exposed on the river bank sections of Ranj and hill slopes due to actively undergoing erosion. Microlithic people had a mobile lifestyle moving across the landscape in search of various resources starting from raw material procurement to hunting-gathering and collecting food items. The microlithic assemblages in the Ranj Valley are completely devoid of ceramics, Neolithic-type ground stone tools, ringtones


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and any other types of heavy-duty tools, which is found in other part of the state (Behera 2006: 1-62; Ota 1986: 79-85). This indicates that the sites discovered were inhabited prior to the beginning of agriculture and those sites were exclusively occupied by microlith producing hunter–gathers. A wide range of artifact types were noted such as a large numbers of blades and backed blade tools and scrapers of various types, a few borers, points and triangles were marked with variability within the sites. Cores with larger numbers of blade scars also produced a larger number of rejuvenation flakes (Movious et al, 1968). Scrapers are mostly made on flakes and side scrapers and end scrapers types are commonly found. The main economic activities of the people certainly changed from season to season due to seasonal variations in the availability of games, fishes, fruits, vegetables, honey and other products. The riverside was continuously populated during Microlithic period because of successful advancement in hunting gathering techniques (Clark 1932; Elston and Kuhn 2002; Petraglia 2009). Each site represents different tasks such as processing, repairing and extracting activities on all types of materials (Cooper 1983). The small sites may have very few artefacts but their functional attributes to understand the human behaviour cannot be ignored (Versaggi and Hohhman 2008:175). These sites were probably used for short durations such as hunting, butchering, gathering or manufacturing. Scholars have suggested that these sites served as satellite to larger sites (Foley, 1981:164-166; Paddayya, 1991b:131; Thomas, 1975: 62). The main economic activities of the people certainly changed from season to season due to seasonal variations in the availability of games, fishes, fruits, vegetables, honey and other products. The forgoing discussion clearly indicates that the lithic assemblage of the Mesolithic period is adequately represented in the Ranj Valley and its tributaries. Moreover, they exhibit some new features and tool tradition, which certainly add to the impotents of the region.

Acknowledgement I owe a great debt of gratitude to my guide and supervisor Dr. P.K. Behera, (Head) P.G. Dept. of History, Sambalpur University for his ungrudging help and wise suggestion in preparing this paper. I am also thankful to Mrs. N. Thakur, Lecturer, P.G Dept. of history, Sambalpur University and my junior friends Sakir Hussain, Sudam Jhankar and Bikash Ranjan Sahu, for their cooperation and encouragement.

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