Crucible for civilisation

Crucible for civilisation

Context:

A recently published paper has revealed that small tools were used nearly 385,000 years ago at Attirampakkam

About Attirampakkam:

• Located close to Madras, it is the site where, in 1863, British geologist and archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote discovered the first Palaeolithic stone tools from India
• Since then, this site has been visited by many investigators, and considerably more knowledge about the civilisation has been obtained.

The generally accepted theory:

Until recently, it was believed that modern human ancestors moved out of Africa and settled in various places where they left their mark by introducing small tools, around 140,000-120,000 years ago.

About the paper:

• The paper named ‘Early Middle Palaeolithic culture in India around 385-172 ka reframes Out of Africa models’, by Akhilesh Kumar, Shanti Pappu and others have been published in the Nature
• The paper has revealed stunning new evidence that small tool — as opposed to larger ones that characterised early human species — were being made at Attirampakkam way before — nearly 385,000 years ago.
• However, it is difficult to comment whether this paper contradict the theory of humans migrating out of Africa
• The research has been also cautious in stating that it does not actually identify who made the smaller tools- it may have been archaic hominins who had figured out that these were more useful than larger tools, or it could have been modern humans who coexisted with the last of the archaic hominins.

Difficulties in the Study:

The study at Attirampakkam is complex because close to this region, there is poor fossil record, owing to the prevailing soil conditions.

Significance of the study:

The paper helps to set the time when the transition from larger hand axes and cleavers, known technically as the Acheulean culture, to smaller tools such as scrapers, used in the Middle Palaeolithic culture, happened.

Conclusion:

Additional material from this site is required to understand why the technology transfer happened, and its relevance to understanding Indian and global civilisation.