Palaeolithic Hafting in Himachal Sub-Himalaya

Abstract

Hafting has brought a landmark change in technology and behavior of the Palaeolithic man heralding evolution of anatomical modernity and behavior. The author recently discovered large assemblages of Late Acheulian to Middle Palaeolithic industries from the Quaternary fans of the Sub-Himalayan piedmont area of Ghumarwin Sir Khad valley of Himachal Pradesh. He identified 20 typological categories in a collection of 450 stone implements, which include several new tool types, so far unknown in other Indian sites. There is a remarkable occurrence of 111 hafted implements; almost one in four is the hafted tools (24.67%). They include large-sized axes/adzes, spears, sickles, shovels, picks, chopping tools, etc. among the frequent types, noticed for the first time in north-western Sub-Himalaya of India. The diversified hafting in the region suggests diverse activities of the prehistoric man, like intense wood cutting/wood work, large game hunting, butchering, and some warfare as well. In addition, soil processing for primeval farming is also indicated.