Acheulian Adaptation at Deccan Plateau : A case study

on Chirki and Hunsgi

Gargi Chatterjee

ABSTRACT

Presently the interpretation of regional adaptation pattern one of the prime challenges of Indian
Prehistoric study. Considering this problem, in the present essay it has been tried to focus on the
Adaptation Strategies of the Acheulian population of Deccan Plateau. In view of that the Archaeological
and Environmental data of the two excavated Acheulian sites of this region (Chirki and Hunsgi)
have been analyzed and compare with each other to obtain a certain inference. Key Words :
Adaptation, Acheulian, Deccan Plateau

Introduction up most of the central and southern part of the

Since last five decades an considerable progress has
been made in understanding various aspects of the
Acheulian Cultural phase in India in individual
manner. Numerous Acheulian sites have been
discovered, excavated (sometimes re-excavated) and
the remains available from these sites have been
published. In spite of these contributions in Indian
Acheulian Studies, it is now important to concentrate
on the discovered evidence in terms of regional
Adaptation pattern. This kind of study will make us
understand the behaviour of Acheulian man.
Considering the aforesaid problem, the present topic
has been chosen in which the Adaptation strategies
of the Acheulian Man at Deccan Plateau is the
subject of discourse.
Deccan plateau is the largest plateau in India, making
Received : 9th June, 2016
country. It is forming a raised triangle pointing
downwards of the Indian subcontinent's coastline. It
extends over eight states and they are : Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
the adjacent parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
and Orissa. It located between two mountain ranges,
the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. The
Deccan plateau is separated from the Gangetic plain
to the north by Satpura and Vindhya Ranges, which
form its northern boundary. The excavated Acheulian
sites of this region Chirki and Hunsgi have been
taken for study (Fig. 1).
Chirki (19 o 34' N and 74 o 54' E)
Chirki is situated at Nevasa a taluka headquarters in
Ahmednagar district Maharashtra. It is located 3 km
izkX/kkjk] vad & 25
Fig. 1 : Location of the sites Hunsgi and Chirki at the Deccan Plataeu (After : Google image, 2015)
downstream of Nevasa town at the confluence of a
small nala called Chirki with the Pravara river on its
right bank1. The site was discovered by Corvinus in
1963 and was excavated for three seasons between
1966- 69. Investigations also carried out at the site
by Pappu, Ansari, Murty and Mishra at different
times2.
Geology of the Site : Geologically the region is
covered by Cretaceous-Eocene Deccan Trap basalts
and the red amygdaloidal and ashy grey compact
basalt are the two prevalent varieties)3.
Geographical Setting of the Site : The region
around the site consists of a broad and flat valley.
This area is situated on the right bank of river
Pravara. There are also numerous deeply eroded
gullies present in this area. These gullies have cut
up to the bed rock below. There are thus observed
prominent low cliffs of the basalt. The area is also
characterized by the presence of overhanging rocks
at a number of places4.
Flora : The most common flora of district Ahmednagar
2
(Maharashtra) are : Eclipta alba, Calotropis gigantean,
Euphrobia nerlifolia, Jatropha gossipifolia, Argemone
Mexicana, Justica adhatoda, Vitex negundo, Lantana
camara, Parthenium hysterophorus, Achyranthes
aspera, Pergularia daemia, Solanum surratense,
Boerhhavia rapens, Tephrosia purpurea, Calotropis
procera, Urginea indica, Tribulus terrestris, Withania
somnifera etc.5
Fauna : There are a wide variety of mammals,
reptiles and birds could found around the district
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra where the present site is
situated. The mammals found here are Leopard,
Jungle Cat, Palm Civet, Mongoose, Hyena, Wolf, Jackal,
Fox, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Sambar, Hare, and
Bats etc. The most attractive animals are Indian
Giant Squirrel and Porcupine. The reptiles found are
Monitor Lizard, Fan-Throated Lizard, Turtles and many
species of snakes. Among the birds the White Necked
Storks, Black Ibis, Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Water
Hen's etc. are common in this region.
The Stratigraphy and Palaeo-environment of
the Site : The bottom most layer of the site Chirki

is of cross-bedded sand and fine gravel which is
associated with Acheulian artefacts. This layer is
overlain by a band of lime concentrations in the
clay. Above this there is a layer of clay lenses which
is capped by hard cemented gravel deposition. After
that there is a layer of heterogeneous sand and fine
gravel. Both of these layers are associated with
Acheulian artefacts. The top most layer is the layer
of black cotton soil.
The gravel had been deposited during the monsoons
in times of heavy flood when nodules of the higher
situated silt cliffs were washed into the gravelly river
bed by lateral erosion without being transported very
far. This can be observed even today in the flood
bed of the river after heavy floods6. (Table 1)
Table : 1. The Stratigraphy and Palaeo-Environment of the Site Chirki
Deposition (from bottom to top) Responsible factors Climatic Acheulian Cultural
Black cotton soil
Heterogeneous sand and fine gravel
Hard cemented gravel
Clay lenses
A band of lime concentrations is
thy clay
Cross-bedded sand and fine gravel
The Nature of Habitat : The Acheulian man of the
site occupied the right bank of the River Pravara
which was dominated by rubble spread. The rubble
formed the main source of raw material necessary
for preparing his artefacts. This area was thus most
suitable for occupation as the raw material was
available in abundance in desired size and shape.
The site is also situated at the close proximity of the
perennial water supply which fulfilled the basic need
of water for the growth of life besides the water also
Pr¢gdh¢r¢, No. 25
attracted games which helped Acheulian Man to
hunt. Therefore, the site was most ideal for
habitation7.
The Nature of Raw Material of the Site : The
material from which the tools were made at the site
is of the local basalt. The best material is the fine
grained hard dyke basalt, dolerite, from which he
apparently made the finest tools. He also used the
grey compact basalt from which most of the tools
were made. Finally he used quartz and chalcedony
for a very limited amount of tools.8
The Acheulian Industry of the Site : The Chirki
Acheulian industry consists 11 types of finished
tools Handaxe, Cleavers, Chopper, Chopping tool,
Condition Relevance
- - -
- Wet climate Associated with
Acheulian
- Wet climate Associated with
Acheulian
- - -
- - -
- Wet climate Associated with
Acheulian
Polyheron, Discoid, Spheroid, Scraper, Knife, Chisel
and Borer. The numbers of individual tool are not
clearly given in the report or related publications.
However it is clear from the description that the
Handaxe is the dominant and Cleaver is the second
dominant type of the collection. The pointed tipped
Handaxe and the straight edged Cleaver governs the
Handaxe and Cleaver category respectively. Besides,
the Chopper, Chopping tool and Scraper are present
in the Chirki industry in negligible quantity.9
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izkX/kkjk] vad & 25
Fig. 2 : Site map of Hunsgi (After : Paddayya : 1982)
Hunsgi (76o31' E and 16o27' N)
The site lies in the Shorapur taluka of Gulbarga
district in Karnataka State. The Hunsgi valley is an
X- shaped basin, covers an area of about 480sq.
km. The village Hunsgi is situated on the right bank
of the Hunsgi stream. The Acheulian sites of this
region were first discovered by K. Paddayya in 1967
and most of them are occupation sites and cultural
material is preserved in undisturbed context. These
are located in the foothill area of the lime-stone
shale plateau or on the Hunsgi stream and its feeders.
About 25 Acheulian occurrences are found as a
cluster near Hunsgi village lying in the centre of the
4
valley whereas the rest are dispersed randomly all
over the valley floor (Fig. 2).
Geology of the Site : Three major geological
formations could be seen in this area10. They are :
Granite (Archaean), Shales & Limestones
(Precambrian) and Deccan Trap (Tertiary). Granite
is confined to the south-eastern part of the area.
Shales and limestones, forming what is called the
Bhima Series, occupy the tablelands and also a
major portion of the valley floor. Deccan Trap is
found as small patches in the north-western and
south-eastern corners of the area, where it occurs
as the uppermost stratum of tablelands. The junctions
 Pr¢gdh¢r¢, No. 25

of such varied geological formations serve as the

source for many artesian streams, which constitute
the only dependable source of drinking water in the
area. Another important geological aspect of the area
is the occurrence of Kankar Conglomerates. The
valley floor also contains a thin mantle of black soil
(generally one to two meters in depth).
Geographical Setting of the Site : The Hunsgi
valley floor slopes down gently from west to east. In
the east the drainage of the entire valley is flushed
out by the Hunsgi nala. Several minor streams (1 to
2m. deep and 5 to 10m. broad) originate in the
table land and traverse the valley in an easterly
direction. These first and second order minor streams
initiate on the escarpments or in their foothill region,
and flow short distances covering a few kilometers.
These unite to form three bigger streams flowing in
a general easterly direction : the Devapur stream,
the Maralbhabi stream and the Kupi stream. They in
turn unite close to the village of Hunsgi to form a Fig. 3 : Handaxe from Hunsgi (After : Paddayya : 1982)
single large watercourse called the Hunsgi stream or
nala, as told earlier. It has a bed width of 30m. to The Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironment of
40m. and one to three meter high banks. This nala the Site : The stratigraphic sequence of locality no.
joins the river Krishna after a further easterly course V has been described in the report12 and according
about 20 km. These streams are strictly monsoonal to it; the lower most level of the site is sterile and
in character and flow for only three or four months formed by gruss mixed granite blocks. The second
of the year, between July and October. level from the bottom is 25 to 30cm thick and is
made of brownish and whitish gruss. Above that,
Flora : The area has been under active cultivation 20cm thick compact whitish gruss formed due to
for the last two thousand years or more, so that very in situ weathering of granite. Above that, 10cm thick
little of the natural vegetation is preserved now. The gruss mixed grayish black soil is there and on the
vegetation map is prepared by the Indian Council of top there is 20cm thick loose, grayish black soil
Agricultural Research, New Delhi - according to which which is very much disturbed by ploughing. Among
the vegetation of the area consists only low scattered these 5 layers only the second and third layers
shrubs and pseudo-steppe, which mark the degenerate from the bottom is associated with Acheulian phase.
stage of a vegetation type called the Hardwickia -
Anogeissus Series and also some thorn scrub11. By further study it appears certain that the climate
of the area at the time of Acheulian occupation was
Fauna : The fauna of this region are : mammals basically similar to that of today. This inference is
like : wild cattle, spotted deer, gazelle, common rat, based on the commonly accepted view that the
birds like : blue rock pigeon, peafowl and fishes like monsoonal climate had already come into vogue in
: karimina, katrani etc. peninsular India by the early part of the

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izkX/kkjk] vad & 25

Pleistocene13. As present, the year had consisted of
a distinct wet season followed by a long dry period.
The geomorphological and sedimentological studies
conducted in recent years have shown that even the
precipitation (rain) pattern was similar to the one
available now14. The two layers associated to the
Acheulian phase of the site are : brownish and whitish
gruss and compact whitish gruss respectively from
bottom to top. As the compactness of a layer originates
during wet phase therefore it could be assumed that
the compact whitish gruss deposit shows wet climatic
condition and the other layer brownish and whitish
gruss shows dry climate. The stratigraphic and palaeo-
environmental detail of the site is given in Table 2..
The Nature of Habitat : As told earlier that Hunsgi
rainy season. The presence of large number of rock
shelters in the granite hills east of the Salvadgi
village strengthen the view15. A few artefacts
ascribable to the Acheulian culture were found in
one of these shelters. From locality no. V & VI a
thick occupation deposit consisting of Acheulian floor
has found. The Acheulian floor consisted of stone
blocks of lime stones and granites. Interestingly the
occupation floor was found to be surrounded by
granite blocks on the eastern, northern and western
sides. The boulders on the northern side appear to
had been arranged in a row by Acheulian people.
The evidence of these structural features suggest
that Acheulian inhabitants selected for occupation
an open area which was already surrounded by
granite boulders. This must have greatly facilitated

Table : 2. The Stratigraphy and Palaeo-Environment of the Site Chirki

Deposition Responsible Climatic Acheulian Cultural
(from bottom to top) factors Condition Relevance
Loose, grayish black soil - - -
Thick gruss mixed grayish black - - -
Soil
Compact whitish gruss - Wet climate Associated with
Acheulian
Brownish and whitish gruss - Dry climate Associated with
Acheulian
Gruss mixed granite blocks - - -

was experiencing wet and dry climatic cycle during
Acheulian phase. At the dry phase when the all
water sources of this region had been dried up, the
Acheulian group had to nucleate around Hunsgi
main stream. Whereas at wet phase, the region near
Hunsgi stream flooded and the human needed higher
ground, which must be soil free and hard surface
would be available for making home base. The rock-
shelter had been used as habitation during wet and
the job of erecting artificial structures with branches,
grasses and leaves.
The Nature of Raw Material of the Site : The
limestone of Bhima series was used as principal raw
material. The valley floor is made up of silicified
limestone which forms the major raw material of the
Acheulian culture under study. The raw material
was available in the form of blocks and nodules
from the foothill zone and also as water worn pebbles.

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 Pr¢gdh¢r¢, No. 25

In India Hunsgi valley is the only area known thus · Daily activities of Acheulian population of the
far where the lime stone was employed for making region vis-Ê-vis selection of tools
tools by Stone Age artificer.
The Acheulian population of Chirki occupied the
The Acheulian Industry of the Site : There are area during wet climatic condition. As told earlier
total 167 finished tools have been revealed during that the area is characterized by the presence of
excavation from the locality V & VI, among them 10 overhanging rocks which might have provided
have no particular shape and considered as necessary shelter from wind, rain etc. for the
miscellaneous and among left 157 shaped tools Acheulian Man. Besides, they occupied the right
seven types are there. They are : Handaxe, Cleaver, bank of the River Pravara which was dominated by
Chopping tool, Scraper, Pick, Polyhedron and Knife. rubble spread which form the main source of raw
Cleaver is the dominant variety of the industry. Among material necessary for preparing their artefacts.
157 shaped tools, 42 (26.75%) are Cleavers; Whereas, Hunsgi Acheulian settlers were experiencing
Handaxe is scond dominant; Chopping tool and both dry and wet climatic cycles. During dry phase
Scraper are mediocre in quantity and Chopper is they had to nucleate around Hunsgi main stream as
absent (Table 3). The straight edged Cleaver and that was the only source of water during dry
pointed tipped Handaxe govern the Cleaver and condition. Besides Hunsgi stream flow also promoted
Handaxe categories respectively. Among Chopping gallery forest which provides cooler place for
tool the convex edged is prominent and straight establishing home bases. The rock-shelter had been
edged Scraper is dominant among Scrapers. used as habitation during wet condition as the area
around Hunsgi stream was flooded. The raw material
Table : 3. The Finished Tools of the Site Hunsgi
was also available in the form of blocks and nodules
Tool Types Number Percentage to them from the foothill zone and also as water
worn pebbles.
Handaxe 30 19,11
Cleaver 42 26,75 The site Chirki is situated at the close proximity of
Chopping tool 19 12,10 the perennial water supply which fulfilled the basic
need of water for the growth of life besides the
Scraper 17 10.83
water also attracted games which helped Acheulian
Pick 11 7.01 Man to hunt. At Hunsgi during dry phase the Hunsgi
Polyhedron 18 11.46 stream flow promoted gallery forest which provides
Knife 20 12.73 food resources. Besides, The water channel helped
Grand Total 157 99.99 the Acheulian man to capturing large mammals
comming in search of drinking. During wet phase
Discussion variety of leafy greens and seed bearing grasses,
and a number of shrubs and trees yielding berries
In this section it is tried to analyse the given and fruits and animals especially small fauna
information in terms of Acheulian adaptation pattern. comprising : insects, fish, amphibians, land snails
Through the aforesaid descriptions three major and fresh water mollusks are available as food
adaptation strategies of Acheulian population of resource in whole valley.
Deccan plateau have been recognized.
The daily activities of Chirki and Hunsgi Acheulian
· Palaeo-climate vis-Ê-vis selection of habitation
settlers are mainly killing and processing animal
· Palaeo-climate vis-Ê-vis food habits food and gathering plant food. The straight edged

7
izkX/kkjk] vad & 25
Fig. 4 : Skinning on a small mammal by Scraper
( after Jones,1980 )
Cleaver, which is the second dominant tool of the
site Chirki, probably used for chopping meat (Fig. 5).
And the pointed tipped Handaxe, the dominant tool of
the site, used for digging tuber roots and crushing
bone to extract marrow (Figs. 6 & 7). At the site
Hunsgi the same kind of actions might have been
done by the Acheulian settlers as Chirki because the
ecology is more or less similar in both of these sites.
Besides the governing tool types are also almost
common. During dry phase the Hunsgi Acheulian
settlers occupied the open air area around the Hunsgi
Fig. 6 : Bone crushing by pointed tipped Handaxe
( after Howell, 1969 )
8
Fig. 5 : Skinning and meat cutting actions mammal by a
cleaver ( after Howell, 1969)
main stream. Therefore, along with meat cutting the
Hunsgi settlers used straight edged Cleaver for
clearing shrubs-small trees from the spot selected
for habitation. The straight edged Scraper also found
in appreciable quantity from this site, which probably
used for skinning purpose (Fig. 4). In the Table 4
the Daily activities of Acheulian population of the
Deccan plateau region vis-Ê-vis selection of tools is
given.
Fig. 7 : Digging Post Holes by Pointed Tipped Handaxe
( after Howell, 1969 )
 Pr¢gdh¢r¢, No. 25

Table : 4. Daily activities of Acheulian population of the Deccan Plateau Region

vis-a-vis selection of tools

Site Major Activities Used Tools

Chirki Animal Food Processing · Straight edged Cleaver (the second
dominant tools) used to chop meat.
· Pointed tipped Handaxe (the dominant
tool) used for crushing bone to extract
marrow
Gathering Tuber Roots · Pointed tipped Handaxe (the dominant
tool) used for dig out tuber roots.
Hunsgi Animal Food Processing · Straight edged Scrapper (Present in
mediocre quantity) used for skinning
· Straight, edged Cleaver (the dominant
tool) used to chop meat.
· Pointed tipped Handaxe (the second
dominant tool) used for crushing bone
to extract marrow.
Gathering Tuber Roots · Pointed tipped Handaxe (the second
dominant tool) used for dig out tuber
roots
Preparing place for habitation during dry · Straight edged Cleaver (the dominant
Phase tool) used for clearing shrubs-small
trees from the spot selected for
habitation.

Acknowledgements
I am extremely grateful to my Post Doctoral guide Professor Vidula Jayaswal (Fellow of Prof. R.C. Sharma Chair,
J®ana Prav¢ha, Varanasi) for her valuable guidance, scholarly inputs and consistent encouragement. I am
extremely thankful to J®¢na Prav¢ha (Centre for Cultural Studies and Research, Varanasi) for grant me the Post
Doctoral Fellowship for my research work. I am immensely gratified to Prof. Kamal Giri (Honorable Director, J®¢na
Prav¢ha) and Padmashree Mrs. Bimla Poddar (Managing Trustee, J®¢na Prav¢ha) for all their academic supports
and facilities provided to carry out my work. I am also thankful to Prof. K. Paddayya, Prof. Sheila Mishra, Prof.
Sushma G. Deo (Dept. of Archaeology, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune); Dr. S.B. Ota
(Regional Director, Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal); Prof. Shanti Pappu and Dr. Kumar Akhilesh (Sharma
Centre for Heritage Education, Chennai) for their kind supports and valuable advices which help me improving my
work.

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izkX/kkjk] vad & 25

Reference

1. Ansari, Z.D. and R.S. Pappu. 1975. "Some
observations on the Excavation of Acheulian
Site, Chirki-Nevasa, District Ahmednagar,
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2. Pappu, R.S. 2001. Acheulian Culture in Peninsular
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world (P) Ltd. New Delhi. P : 25.
3. Ansari & Pappu. 1975. Op.cit. : 1.
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8. Corvinus, G.K. 1968/69 : 935.
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12. Paddayya, K. 1982. The Acheulian Culture of the
Hunsgi Valley (Peninsular India): A Settlement
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Postgraduate and Research Institute. Poona
: 21-36.
13. Singh, R.L. (Ed.). 1971. India- A Regional
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14. Paddayya, K. 1982. Op.cit. : 14.
15. Ibid : pl. 68.

Dr. Gargi Chatterjee

Post Doctoral Fellow in Prehistoric Archaeology
J®¢na Prav¢ha,
Varanasi (U.P.) INDIA
Email. gargichatterjee09@gmail.com

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