More Than 70,000 Years Lithic Tools From Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Evidences of Human activities since Early Stone Age at Kanchipuram Kanchipuram (120 50'N & 79025'E) is a popular city from the famous poet Kalidasa (as a Nagareshukanch) onwards in the southern part of India. Its popularity is further pushed back to Early Stone Age from the recent archaeological excavations conducted by the Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture, Sri Chandrasekhrendra Saraswathi Vishwa Mahavidyalaya University, Enathur, Kanchipuram. During the month of February, the University archaeological team has conducted excavations at Singadivakam, Buddha Akaram and surrounding suburban areas of the present Kanchipuram, about 70 km away from Chennai in southwest direction. It has provided many new evidences about the early human activities, environment, geomorphology of regions, etc. Pebbles of various form and sizes have been noticed in the area at a considerable distance in Singadivakam. Varity of stone tool typology related from Early Stone Age (Palaeolithic) to New Stone Age (Neolithic) revealed the early Human activities in the area. It is an interesting and first finding near Kanchipuram region. Abbevillian Hand Axes with pebble butt, pear and ovate shapes; flakes scrapers, borers or points of Early Stone Age tools in different sizes; blades, scrapers, points, triangles, lunates, etc. tools in microliths and ground or polished tools of New Stone Age were collected mostly from the loose gravels lying in the lack bed, but a few were also found in situ. The above tool typology of the Early Stone Age or Lower Paleolithic Culture of India in general, falls within the time span of the middle Pleistocene and early part of the upper – Pleistocene, approximately covering a period from about half-a-million to 50000 year B.P. Those tools were used for digging edible roots, grubbing purposes, mattocks for cutting up and smashing an ambushed animal, dressing their skins, cutting, chopping, skinning the game and even hunting against an enemy (human or animal). Excavation in Singadivakam revealed that existence of human activities in the region from the Early Stone Age onwards and developed the region through the ages with their technologies. The region is full of many eri/ lakes, tanks, ponds and connecting with small streams with alluvial deposits indicating once an existence of a major river or stream flowing in the region. However, geomorphological studies are required for further conclusion. Other important antiquities unearthed from the lower level to Early Historical appendage at Singadivakam – Hand made coarse Red Ware, Black-and-Red ware, Black polished Ware, Red Ware, Russet Coated Ware (a few with paintings), Red Polished Ware in very fine fabric and thin section, etc. pot sherds are in different shapes and sizes unearthed from the stratified layers. Besides, terracotta beads, skin rubbers, hopscotches, shell objects, coin (?), etc. have also been unearthed from Singadivakam. From Buddha Akaram and its surrounding villages, Early Historical pottery like – Black-and-Red Ware, Black Ware, Red Slipped Ware, etc. in different coarses and shapes were revealed from the stratified layers. From the temple vestiges (?) – dressed big granite blocks , rubble foundation, etc have been noticed where a sitting Buddha in dhyana mudra stature has unearthed by the local people a few centuries ago. Medieval period mandapas in ruin condition have also been found with inscriptions in tamil and telugu scripts at Uttukadu, near Buddha Akaram. Moreover, further exploration and excavations are required immediately to record the potentiality of the region. Because, the rapid industrial activities of the present society is damaging the entire deposits.

Dr. S. Rama Krishna Pisipaty Reader & Geoarchaeologist Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture Sri Chandra Sekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Maha Vidyalaya Enathur Kanchipuram -631 561. India.