Stone tools, Species and Speculations: Thoughts on discussing evolutionary trajectories in the Indian Palaeolithic

Sapiens in South Asia

Date: Apr 8, 2023
Time: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Speaker: Prof. Shanti Pappu
Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, Chennai, India. Visiting Professor, SIAS, Krea University, India
Location: Zoom
Host: Department of Archaeology
Contact: gjha@shh.mpg.de

Stone tools, Species and Speculations: Thoughts on discussing evolutionary trajectories in the Indian Palaeolithic

Debates on population migrations in South Asia necessarily require a consideration of the evolution of concepts on dispersals and cultural trajectories. Here, we present thoughts on the evolution of conceptual approaches and nomenclatures in Indian prehistory, with implications for current interpretations of the nature and timing of dispersals. We situate these issues in the context of our own long-term research in Tamil Nadu, with a focus on the sites of Attirampakkam and other sites in SE India.

Although the focus ofthis conference is on ‘modern’ humans, we examine processes of culturalchange beginning with the Acheulian and evolutionary trajectories withinthis phase. We discuss our ongoing research into the early MiddlePalaeolithic at Attirampakkam, marked by a shift to new technologicalstrategies with implications for hominin behaviour. We suggest caution inattributing this phase to modern humans in the absence of hominin fossilremains. We proceed to discuss the implications of dispersals and theirregional spatial and temporal variability as regards the Late Palaeolithicin southern Tamil Nadu and its significance for examining new data from SriLanka. We conclude by highlighting key issues that need to be consideredin future research strategies in South Asia.