Tamil Nadu: Rare Stone Age tools found in Ariyalur, Perambalur districts

Ariyalur: Rare microliths (small stone tools) were recently discovered in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur and Perambalur districts by a Kudavasal-based archaeological expert Kudavayir Sundaravelu. Sundaravelu told DC that the archaeological exploration had been undertaken in more than 100 villages in these districts, out of which 42 sites yielded upper Palaeolithic, Meso/Microlithic and Neolithic stone implements.

A significant aspect of this main exploration is the discovery of a number of lithic tool industrial sites where once Stone Age people stayed as a small team or as a single big family for (about) a month at a single spot, he added. He said that Mesolithic people once roamed over most parts of Ariyalur distict, especially Anikurichan, Sathanaipattu, Netlakurichi, Mottutheru, Koovathur, Pudukkudi, Iravangudi, Idaikurichi, Thamaraipoondi and Kanchamalaipatti where identified as rich sites.

Other sites include Adhichanoor, Anikkurichi, Koolattu Kuppam, Michaelpatti, Anaikudam, Sengunthapuram, Pilichikuli, Naduppatti and Kolakkanatham (Perambalur district), etc, he explained.

Sundaravelu said that microlithic age origin was traced back to 10,000 BCE and it lasted for a few millenniums. Microlithic tools were made from special rock varieties, which are rich in glass (silica) that provides sharpness. They are chalcedony, chert, flint and crystal. Different types of implements were made for different uses and these include very rare lunates (small crescent shaped flakes), shouldered arrow tips, points. Other designs include blades, scrapers and triangles. The tools measured 1 - 3 cm, he said.

The daily routine of those people was mainly hunting and gathering (fruits, nuts and cereals, etc). They were nomads in small groups who constantly moved from place to place.