Technological analysis of the Acheulian assemblage from Atbarapur in the Siwalik Range (Hoshiarpur District, Punjab)

The largest collection of Acheulian artefacts in the Siwalik region of the Indian sub-continent is from the site of Atbarapur in the Hosiarpur district of Punjab. It is not dated but recent synthesis of the palaeomagnetic and palaeontolgical data from the Siwaliks shows that some Upper Siwalik sediments are younger than the Olduvai event but in any case older than 0.6 Ma. The artefacts from Atbarpur are probably derived from such sediments, then providing a minimum age for this industry. In spite of its derived nature the assemblage is homogenous and its technological study leads to a better understanding of the character of the Acheulian in this region. Two “chaînes opératoires” have been identified, both are similar: short and simple. One was oriented to the production of small flakes, and the second to the production of large flakes. The handaxes and cleavers, typical of the Acheulian, were mostly made on the large flakes often struck from larger flakes (Kombewa method) or from split boulders.