The Paleolithic |
---|
↑ Pliocene ( before Homo) |
↓ Mesolithic |
The Madrasian culture is a prehistoric archaeological culture of the Indian subcontinent, dated to the Lower Paleolithic, the earliest subdivision of the Stone Age. [1] [2] It belongs to the Acheulian industry, and some scholars consider the distinction between the Madrasian and the broader, regional Acheulian tradition defunct. [3] [4]
The Madrasian was named for its type site of Attirampakkam (then part of the Madras Presidency, near Chennai), discovered by British archaeologist and geologist Robert Bruce Foote in 1863. [2] [3] The oldest tools at Attirampakkam are dating back to 1.5 million years, found by using cosmic-ray exposure dating. [5]
The Madrasian is characterized by bifacial handaxes and cleavers [6] but includes flake tools, microliths and other chopping tools. Most were made from quartzite, unlike Hint, which is used in Europe. [7] [8] Hand-axes have a pear shape or oval shape, flaking on both faces. [7]
The Paleolithic |
---|
↑ Pliocene ( before Homo) |
↓ Mesolithic |
The Madrasian culture is a prehistoric archaeological culture of the Indian subcontinent, dated to the Lower Paleolithic, the earliest subdivision of the Stone Age. [1] [2] It belongs to the Acheulian industry, and some scholars consider the distinction between the Madrasian and the broader, regional Acheulian tradition defunct. [3] [4]
The Madrasian was named for its type site of Attirampakkam (then part of the Madras Presidency, near Chennai), discovered by British archaeologist and geologist Robert Bruce Foote in 1863. [2] [3] The oldest tools at Attirampakkam are dating back to 1.5 million years, found by using cosmic-ray exposure dating. [5]
The Madrasian is characterized by bifacial handaxes and cleavers [6] but includes flake tools, microliths and other chopping tools. Most were made from quartzite, unlike Hint, which is used in Europe. [7] [8] Hand-axes have a pear shape or oval shape, flaking on both faces. [7]