Understanding the Microlithic technology in the Lower Ganga Basin, Eastern India: A chronological and ecological perspective

Abstract

The geographical and ecological factors influencing the spread of microlithic technologies are a pivotal focus of prehistoric research in South Asia. This study examines two microlithic sites, Barakar and Susunia, located in the Lower Ganga Basin (LGB) of Eastern India, and presents new radiocarbon dating results from Susunia, providing an absolute chronology for the site. Preliminary analyses reveal that these sites, characterized by microlithic assemblages, date back approximately 17,000–12,000 years BP, corresponding to the Late Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2. The period of human occupation aligns with climatic shifts marked by the dominance of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and humid conditions in the region. While the two sites share core-flake-based and blade production techniques, regional divergences in lithic raw material usage are evident. Notably, findings from Susunia, including a grinding/hammer stone, shell bead, and microlithic tools, provide insights into the community’s cultural practices, subsistence strategies, and interactions with their environment and neighboring groups. These results underscore the technological and social dynamics of microlithic adaptations in the LGB. Despite these contributions, further comprehensive fieldwork and excavation are essential to deepen our understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of microlithic technologies and societal transformations in the region.