Kerala   

Neolithic objects unearthed

Axe from the past: The archaeological finds excavated from the Vanimel river bank in Kozhikode district.

THALASSERY: Lower Palaeolithic and Neolithic finds have been unearthed from the Vanimel river bank of Kozhikode district by an anthropology student of the Kannur University.

These archaeological finds have been excavated by N.K. Ramesh, student at the university’s Thalassery campus, during recent field studies. These interesting finds are now kept at the Archaeology Museum on the campus.

A proto-hand-axe from Lower Palaeolithic period was unearthed from Kattikkandam near Puzhamula in Kozhikode during the field study by Mr. Ramesh. The work was undertaken with the support of P. Rajendran, University Grants Commission Research Scientist and Archaeologist in the Department of History of the Kerala University.

Mr. Ramesh said that it had been found from the high terrace of the Vanimel river which lies in the highland region. It was a pointed hand-axe made of quartz pebble and its ventral side was fully flaked leaving a prominent ridge running from end to end, half of its dorsal surface retained cortex while the remaining part was flaked, he said.

Flake-scars were so clear that they indicated stone hammer technique, he said adding that one of its longer margins had zig-zig edge which proved the alternative flaking.

Mr. Ramesh also excavated three Neolithic stone Adzes from Kommiyode and one from the from Pandikkadavu gravel bed of the river Vanimel. The Stone Age people had utilised the locally available granite and quartz raw materials and river worn pebbles for tool making, he said.

When contacted, Dr. Rajendran told The Hindu that the hand-axe was a typical Lower Palaeolithic tool to have been unearthed for the first time from Kozhikode district.

He said he had excavated similar implements from Thenkara near Palakkad. They clearly showed the Acheulian elements of the Lower Palaeolithic in the State.

Highlighting the archaeological significance of the finds, Dr. Rajendran said the unearthing of the four Neolithic implements illustrated the fact that the region had been inhabited by the Neolithic people during the late phase of Holocene.

Mr. Ramesh said that during his field studies, he had found large number of megalithic urn burials at Kokri in Kozhikode district. The finds included bigger jars, black and red ware pottery. The presence of urn burials was an indication that the region had been inhabited by the megalithic people, he said.

Vineetha Menon, head of Anthropology Department, Kannur University, said the department was also encouraging students to focus on contemporary issues and related discipline such as archaeology.

The department, which had been granted UGC’s Special Assistance Programme, was in the process of developing into a centre of excellence, Dr. Menon said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mani urges KC(J) to come out of LDF
Collector asked to appear before court
CSL to get Mini Ratna status
Neolithic objects unearthed
National award for teacher from Malappuram
Goodwill exchange programme
Three killed in accidents
SSF literary festival begins today
Bird’s eye view
Teachers’ cluster meetings disrupted
Kumarakom Lake Resort wins award
Good performing spaces needed

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu