Understanding the Megalithic Landscape of Ubali ...half of Nagpur district is covered by the spread of basaltic and doleritic lava. This formation has been termed as Deccan Trap. The

Understanding the Megalithic Landscape of Ubali, Kalmeshwar Taluk, Nagpur District, Maharashtra

Oishi Roy1 and K. Krishnan2 1. Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, The Maharaja Sayajirao

University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (Email: [email protected]) 2. Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, The Maharaja Sayajirao

University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (Email: [email protected])

Received: 19 August 2016; Accepted: 13 September 2016; Revised: 01 October 2016 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016): 86-104

Abstract: The paper constructs a co-relation between the funerary monuments and its neighboring landscape within the context of the Vidarbhan Megaliths, with special reference to the site of Ubali. It further assesses the Man-Land relationship within the context of Vidarbha from the time of Megalithic Culture to the contemporary times. It looks at the significance and the need to study the cultural assemblage in general and lithic assemblage in particular from the Megalithic sites as they reveal the land use pattern over a period of time.

Keywords: Vidarbha, Ubali, Megaliths, Lithics, Landscape, Man-land Relationship, Social Groups

Introduction This paper attempts to understand the relationship between the monuments and landscape within the Vidarbhan Megalithic context with special reference to the site ‘Ubali’. The traditional landscape theories suggest that the artificial landscape is a marker of social formations (Sanders 1977, Carneiro 1970, Steward 1955, Willey, 1953), while Barrett (1999) states that the artificially altered landscape is a signifier of cultural values. Whereas Alcock (1993) and Bradley (1993) attribute landscape as a place which was actively inhabited and served as a platform for ritualistic and ceremonial activities, which provides a close link between the human element inhabiting the select regions of the landscape and its surroundings. This inter-relationship, between cultural groups and land is defined by Crumley (1994) as “the material manifestation of the relation between humans and the environment”. In general it may be noted that the elements of Man-Land relationship is usually reflected in the pattern of landscape usage. To a great extent this concept of Man-Land relationship has led to some aspects of the development of geographical determinism in archaeology.

In this context, it is interesting to note that the Megalithic sites in Vidarbha follow a

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pattern, which was primarily focused on the availability of raw materials and topography. The Megalithic community preferred to use the Deccan Trap formation, as Basalt rock formed a significant part of building material for their sepulchral architecture. Besides, the inter-trappeans were utilized as raw material for their other industries, for instance, bead manufacturing.

The site of Ubali (21°16̍ 32.43 ̎N 78° 51̍ 30.61 ̎ E Elevation: 356 m above sea level) is located on the north-western side of the main Ubali village (Figs. 1 & 2), Kalmeshwar taluka, Nagpur District. It is located on the Kalmeshwar – Mohpa Road. It lies on the eastern fringe of the Deccan trap formation in the Chandrabhaga River basin, which also falls under the jurisdiction of Kalmeshwar taluka. The site is located in a region which is traversed by a dense network of water channels. The channel which passes through Ubali joins the Chandrabhaga River, east of Dhapewara Khurd. It is a semi-arid region with minimal or no soil cover. The annual precipitation over the entire Nagpur District ranges between 1000 mm and 1200 mm, however, the amount of rainfall varies from east to west. Rainfall reduces towards western part of the district (985.4 mm in Katol taluka) and increases towards the eastern zone (1213.6 mm in Umrer taluka), the centre being Nagpur. Ubali falls in the western zone of the district and shares border with Katol taluka (Central Ground Water Body, 2003). Due to the extreme climatic conditions, most of the wells go dry during summer (March-July) leading to acute water shortage. Due to the infertile nature of the soil and acute shortage of water for irrigational activity, the Stone Circles (Figs. 3 & 4) reported here are devoid of later cultural intervention.

Geological Setting of the Region The geology, mineral deposits, flora and fauna of this region were recorded in the colonial travelogues by Voysey (1830), Jenkins (1830), Hislop (1853), Owen (1854), Rupert Jones (1854), Murray (1854), Bunburys (1854) and Blanford (1872). More than half of Nagpur district is covered by the spread of basaltic and doleritic lava. This formation has been termed as Deccan Trap. The geology of the entire Nagpur district has been divided into two parts. The western Nagpur district falling within the Deccan Trap formation and the eastern zone within the Archaean, Gondwana formations (Fig. 5). All the Megalithic sites of Vidarbha fall within the Deccan Trap formation except Naikund which falls within the Archaean Gondwana formation. The site of Ubali falls within the Deccan Trap formations. The litho-stratigraphy of Ubali comprises of Deccan Trap formation with inter-trappean beds. At the base, there is weathered Basalt, followed by inter-trappeans, the veins within the inter-trappeans have crypto crystalline silica materials (primarily chert and chalcedony). The inter-trappean bed is followed by compact Basalt which is followed by a landscape resembling the Tor landscape (Pryor, 2010). This forms the top soil .The streams draining through the Deccan trap area are the carriers of agates, jaspers and quartz pebbles. Earlier archaeological investigations in the adjoining areas (Thakuria, 2010) indicated that agate, jasper and quartz were the major raw material utilised by the Megalithic society for bead manufacturing.

ISSN 2347 – 5463 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4: 2016

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Figure 1: Map of Maharashtra state with Nagpur highlighted

(Map Courtesy: Maphill)

Figure 2: Nagpur District with Ubali


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Figure 3: General View of the Site

Figure 4: Aerial View of the complete Stone Circle (Courtesy: Google Earth)

The Megalithic Site of Ubali The archaeological mound of Ubali is visible from the Kalmeshwar- Mohpa road. It is dotted with a number of cairns and cairn circles. The site was first located by Abhay Deshpande (Kellellu: Personal Communication) of Nagpur University. The present

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investigators began exploring the above mentioned area with the intention of documenting Megalithic structures and other related artefacts at the site. During the course of this exploration, Middle Paleolithic tools were also encountered within the same vicinity. A good number of them were used as a part of packing materials in the Cairn circles.

Figure 5: Map showing the different rock formations in Nagpur District(Courtesy: Directorate of Geology and Mining, Government of Maharashtra)

The Megalithic Culture of Vidarbha was dated through the excavation of the site of Pauni. At Pauni, the Megalithic Culture was preceded by the Chalcolithic Black and Red Ware Culture and succeeded by the Early Historic Vakataka periodJoshi, 1972).

The mound of Ubali is dotted with cairn circles of varying sizes. Despite intensive surveys, the habitation area could not be located within the vicinity of the burial mound. The site of Ubali (Fig. 6) is separated by four gullies; the areas on the southern side of Gully 1 and 2 had a concentration of Middle Palaeolithic tools, such as, scrapers, flakes, cores and lithic debitage (Fig. 7 , Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). The

Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4: 2016

gators began exploring the above mentioned area with the intention of documenting Megalithic structures and other related artefacts at the site. During the course of this exploration, Middle Paleolithic tools were also encountered within the

A good number of them were used as a part of packing materials in the

Map showing the different rock formations in Nagpur District(Courtesy: Directorate of Geology and Mining, Government of Maharashtra)

Culture of Vidarbha was dated through the excavation of the site of Pauni. At Pauni, the Megalithic Culture was preceded by the Chalcolithic Black and Red Ware Culture and succeeded by the Early Historic Vakataka period

f Ubali is dotted with cairn circles of varying sizes. Despite intensive surveys, the habitation area could not be located within the vicinity of the burial mound. The site of Ubali (Fig. 6) is separated by four gullies; the areas on the southern

ully 1 and 2 had a concentration of Middle Palaeolithic tools, such as, scrapers, flakes, cores and lithic debitage (Fig. 7 , Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). The

gators began exploring the above mentioned area with the intention of documenting Megalithic structures and other related artefacts at the site. During the course of this exploration, Middle Paleolithic tools were also encountered within the

A good number of them were used as a part of packing materials in the

Map showing the different rock formations in Nagpur District

(Courtesy: Directorate of Geology and Mining, Government of Maharashtra)

Culture of Vidarbha was dated through the excavation of the site of Pauni. At Pauni, the Megalithic Culture was preceded by the Chalcolithic Black and Red Ware Culture and succeeded by the Early Historic Vakataka period (Deo and

f Ubali is dotted with cairn circles of varying sizes. Despite intensive surveys, the habitation area could not be located within the vicinity of the burial mound. The site of Ubali (Fig. 6) is separated by four gullies; the areas on the southern

ully 1 and 2 had a concentration of Middle Palaeolithic tools, such as, scrapers, flakes, cores and lithic debitage (Fig. 7 , Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). The

percentages of cores, flakes and lithic debitage were higher than the finished tools. This indicates that the manufacturing of the tools were probably done within this area. However, the absence of definable clusters along with the gradient of the region, suggest that erosional activities have displaced some of the artefacts from its original context. Ubali falls in the middle reaches of Chandrabhaga River. In the upper reaches of Chandrabhaga River, Middle Palaeolithic tools in fresh condition have been encountered. In the lower reaches, at Ghorad, Saptadhara River forms a tributary of the Chandrabhaga River, which flows from Ubali eastward towards Dhapewara Khurd. During the course of the exploration, Middle Paleolithic tools were found embedded in the river section, mainly within the gravel conglomerate that formed the bottom layer of the current stratigraphy of the river.

Figure 6: Distribution of Burials at the site of Ubali (B: Burials, G: Gullies, L: Locality and X: Disturbed Burials)

A Figure 7: Cores from Locality 1. A: Chalcedony, B and C: Red Chert

Roy and Krishnan

percentages of cores, flakes and lithic debitage were higher than the finished tools. This ates that the manufacturing of the tools were probably done within this area.

However, the absence of definable clusters along with the gradient of the region, suggest that erosional activities have displaced some of the artefacts from its original

. Ubali falls in the middle reaches of Chandrabhaga River. In the upper reaches of Chandrabhaga River, Middle Palaeolithic tools in fresh condition have been encountered. In the lower reaches, at Ghorad, Saptadhara River forms a tributary of the

aga River, which flows from Ubali eastward towards Dhapewara Khurd. During the course of the exploration, Middle Paleolithic tools were found embedded in the river section, mainly within the gravel conglomerate that formed the bottom layer

tratigraphy of the river.

Distribution of Burials at the site of Ubali (B: Burials, G: Gullies, L: Locality and X: Disturbed Burials)

B C Figure 7: Cores from Locality 1. A: Chalcedony, B and C: Red Chert

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percentages of cores, flakes and lithic debitage were higher than the finished tools. This ates that the manufacturing of the tools were probably done within this area.

However, the absence of definable clusters along with the gradient of the region, suggest that erosional activities have displaced some of the artefacts from its original

. Ubali falls in the middle reaches of Chandrabhaga River. In the upper reaches of Chandrabhaga River, Middle Palaeolithic tools in fresh condition have been encountered. In the lower reaches, at Ghorad, Saptadhara River forms a tributary of the

aga River, which flows from Ubali eastward towards Dhapewara Khurd. During the course of the exploration, Middle Paleolithic tools were found embedded in the river section, mainly within the gravel conglomerate that formed the bottom layer

Figure 7: Cores from Locality 1. A: Chalcedony, B and C: Red Chert


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Figure 8: Chert Core Fragments from Locality 2

Figure 9: Side Scrapers (Chert)

Lithic Analysis The Middle Palaeolithic assemblage was classified into separate groups using typology and raw material as the primary criteria. A great majority of Chert and Quartz. Chalcedony was also used, but in a smaller quantity. The lithics and debitage scatter were found lying on the slopes of the mound (Fig. 11) and a good number of them were profusely used for cairn fillings (Fig. 11b)Palaeolithic tool kit at Ubali comprised of a variety of scrapers, cores and debitage.


Figure 8: Chert Core Fragments from Locality 2

Figure 9: Side Scrapers (Chert)

The Middle Palaeolithic assemblage was classified into separate groups using typology and raw material as the primary criteria. A great majority of the tools were made on Chert and Quartz. Chalcedony was also used, but in a smaller quantity. The lithics and debitage scatter were found lying on the slopes of the mound (Fig. 11) and a good number of them were profusely used for cairn fillings (Fig. 11b). The Middle Palaeolithic tool kit at Ubali comprised of a variety of scrapers, cores and debitage.

The Middle Palaeolithic assemblage was classified into separate groups using typology the tools were made on

Chert and Quartz. Chalcedony was also used, but in a smaller quantity. The lithics and debitage scatter were found lying on the slopes of the mound (Fig. 11) and a good

. The Middle Palaeolithic tool kit at Ubali comprised of a variety of scrapers, cores and debitage.

Double Sided Scraper (Chert) Figure 10: Scrapers from Locality 1 and locality 2

Figure 11: Debitage scatter along with tools at Ubali

Roy and Krishnan

Double Sided Scraper (Chert) End Scraper (Chert)

10: Scrapers from Locality 1 and locality 2

11: Debitage scatter along with tools at Ubali

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Figure 12: Section of a Cairn Circle filling (Exposed due to recent quarrying activity)

Table 1 shows the variety in lithic assemblage found at the site of Ubali. Nearly 20% of the lithics that were encountered within the cairn fillings were Middle Palaeolithic tools and its debitage. Besides, six blades were also reported from the site. The blades are mostly micro-blades. The Middle Paleolithic people utilised the easily available crypto-crystalline silica material available within the vicinity of Ubali. Small scale quarrying activities and debitage scatters in the area made subtle changes in the landscape. The available data does not permit us to assign even relative dates to any of these landform changes, however, one can propose that the cultural activities played a greater role in modifying the landscape in the region.

Table 1: Characteristics of the Lithic Assemblage of UbaliSl. No.

Type Length (mm)

1 Flake 61.24

2 Flake (Chunky)

56.87

3 Notched Core (Fragment)

32.26

4 Side Scraper 26.92

5 Blade Core Fragment

39.30


Section of a Cairn Circle filling (Exposed due to recent quarrying activity)

Table 1 shows the variety in lithic assemblage found at the site of Ubali. Nearly 20% of encountered within the cairn fillings were Middle Palaeolithic

tools and its debitage. Besides, six blades were also reported from the site. The blades blades. The Middle Paleolithic people utilised the easily available silica material available within the vicinity of Ubali. Small scale

quarrying activities and debitage scatters in the area made subtle changes in the landscape. The available data does not permit us to assign even relative dates to any of

anges, however, one can propose that the cultural activities played a greater role in modifying the landscape in the region.

Table 1: Characteristics of the Lithic Assemblage of Ubali Breadth

(mm) Thickness

(mm) Raw

Material Descr

29.60 13.45 White Chert Struck from a core with a prepared platform.

37.91 16.01 Brown Chert Primary flake struck on unprepared core. Partial cortex visible on the dorsal surface.

30.21 10.36 Brown Chert

Flake scar visible on the surface.

19.71 5.38 Brown Chert

Cutting edge on both the sides with one side retouched.

23.25 11.14 Chert 50% Cortex is visible on the surface andscars is visible on the surface.

Section of a Cairn Circle filling (Exposed due to recent quarrying activity)

Table 1 shows the variety in lithic assemblage found at the site of Ubali. Nearly 20% of encountered within the cairn fillings were Middle Palaeolithic

tools and its debitage. Besides, six blades were also reported from the site. The blades blades. The Middle Paleolithic people utilised the easily available silica material available within the vicinity of Ubali. Small scale

quarrying activities and debitage scatters in the area made subtle changes in the landscape. The available data does not permit us to assign even relative dates to any of

anges, however, one can propose that the cultural activities played a

Description

Struck from a core with a prepared platform. Primary flake struck on unprepared core. Partial cortex visible on the dorsal surface. Flake scar visible on the

Cutting edge on both the sides with one side

50% Cortex is visible on the surface and blade scars is visible on the


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6 Notched Flake

22.74 37.08 6.27 Chert Notching is done at the proximal end

7 Double Sided Scraper

25.95 24.49 9.42 White Chert The retouches are visible on both the lateral edges and it is made on a core fragment.

8 Semi Circular Scraper

19.96 25.63 10.95 Brown Chert Retouches are done from the proximal till the distal end in a semi-circular manner.

9 Notched Flake

28.47 20.56 5.90 Quartz Made on an end-struck flake. Use wear marks along the left lateral edge on the dorsal surface and deliberate notch on the ventral surface on the left lateral edge.

10 Flake 61.24 29.60 13.45 White Chert The flake has been struck from a prepared core.

11 Side Scraper 30.79 23.17 6.67 Chert Retouches are done along one lateral edge

12 Side Scraper 29.67 35.32 5.45 Chert Retouches are done along one lateral edge

13 Core 28.60 20.46 15.43 Chert The surface has 6 flake scars

14 Multiple Sided Scraper

23.55 25.55 12.04 Chert It is made on a primary flake.

15 Flake 29.17 22.53 11.47 Chert Flake 16 Core 19.32 19.80 17.94 Chert 10% of the core is

covered by Cortex. 17 Flake 21.84 16.65 3.97 Chert It is an end struck flake.

Struck from a double platform core. 20% of the dorsal surface covered by cortex. 2 flake scars visible on the dorsal surface.

18 Core Fragment

24.68 17.09 7.70 Chert It has a prepared platform. 3 flake scars visible on the surface.

19 Core Fragment

24.68 17.09 7.70 Chert It has a prepared platform. 3 flake scars visible on the surface.

20 Flake 36.82 23.06 6.64 Chert It is an end struck flake with prominent bulb of percussion.


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21 Core 30.04 13.8

18.29 Chalcedony 30% of the surface is covered by Cortex

22 Core Fragment

28.05 18.52 10.46 Chalcedony The raw material was subjected to heat treatment.

23 Core Fragment

28.05 18.52 10.46 Chalcedony The raw material was subjected to heat treatment.

23a Parallel sided Blade

17.72 20.15 4.46 Chert It is an end struck flake broken from the distal end. Retouching along the right lateral edge on the ventral surface.

23b End Scraper 23.74 15.84 6.65 Chert Retouches are done on the distal end

23c Flake - - - Chert Distal end is broken. Primary flake identified by the cortex.

24 Core Fragment

23.14 16.85 5.32 Chert Cortex covers 50% of the surface. Given heat treatment.

25 Side Scraper on end struck flake

73.91 47.49 20.87 Green Chert 5% Cortex on dorsal surface along the distal end. Retouches on the left side of the proximal end, Struck from a core with prepared platform. It is a chunky flake tool. 3 flake scars from earlier flaking.


51.26 37.20 20.48 Brown Chert Cortex visible on both proximal and distal end. Raw material has veins with impurity formations. Chunky flake tool. Irregular retouches along the right lateral edge on dorsal surface and along the left lateral edge on the ventral surface.

27 Side-struck flake

35.27 46.12 13.02 Brown Chert Half broken due to step termination. The step termination suggests that it was broken during the manufacturing process.

28 Utilized End struck Flake

24.13 20.15 5.32 Brown Chert Made on end-struck flake broken along the


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distal end. Struck from a core with prepared platform. Use wear marks on left lateral edge on dorsal surface and on right lateral edge on ventral surface.

29 Flake 25.50 44.05 8.67 Brown Chert It is a side struck flake 30 Flake 19.86 54.89 11.25 Brown Chert It is a side struck flake 31 Blade Core

(Broken) 12.86 13.60 8.22 Chalcedony It has a prepared

platform and 5 blade removal scars on the surface.

32 Parallel sided blade

25.19 11.91 4.67 Chert Broken at the distal end. Struck from a core with a prepared platform. Irrailure scar on the ventral surface on the bulb of percussion denotes indirect percussion technique was employed for manufacturing microliths

33 Side Struck Flake

10.44 13.54 2.90 Chalcedony It is broken at the distal end.

34 Blade 14.99 8.20 3.18 Chalcedony Broken from both ends 35 Flake 23.66 16.99 5.81 Chert It is an end struck flake.

Broken from distal end. Flake scars on dorsal surface.

36 Micro Blade frgt

7.09 7.43 2.95 Chalcedony Retouches along both the lateral edges

37 Debitage 6.09 5.32 1.96 Chert Waste 38 Debitage 5.07 4.37 2.12 Chert Waste 38a Bipolar Core 32.11 42.27 24.78 Chert 10% cortex visible on

the surface. 9 flake scars visible on the surface.

39 Core 41.86 33.41 18.13 Reddish Brown Chert

It has multiple platforms. 2% cortex visible on the surface. 6 blade scars and multiple flake scars visible on the surface.

40 Unipolar Core

35.69 28.32 20.38 Chert Unprepared platform. 7 flake scars on the surface.

41 Core Fragment

34.27 28.24 13.21 White Chert It has 7 flake scars on the dorsal surface. Cortex visible on the


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dorsal surface. Incomplete retouching visible. Attempt to make an end scraper.

42 Blade core Fragment

23.10 23.60 8.46 Milky Quartz

3 blade scars on the surface.

43 Side Scraper 69.82 39.41 15.51 Milky Quartz

Made on end struck flake. Cortex near the proximal end. Irregular retouching done along the left lateral edge on the ventral surface.

44 End Scraper 38.71 45.86 5.85 Milky Quartz

Made on a side struck flake. Irrailure bulb visible on the ventral surface. Regular retouches along the distal end on both ventral and dorsal surface. Earlier flake scars on dorsal surface

45 Core Fragment

30.11 33.67 17.52 Chert Unipolar. 8 flake scars on the surface.

46 Core Fragment

30.28 29.20 15.27 Chert 2-3 flake scars on the surface.


22.07 19.92 5.95 Chert Made on an end-struck flake. Retouches along both the lateral edges on the dorsal surface.

47a Exhausted Core

14.16 8.95 6.17 Chert Multiple flake scars on the surface with no platform left.

48 Core 31.99 26.23 20.95 Milky Quartz

Prepared Unipolar. 3 flake scars on the surface.

49 Core 30.20 34.80 27.22 Chert It has multiple platform. 10 flake scars on the surface.

50 Core (Broken) 37.01 30.31 20.74 Chert It has multiple platform. 51 End Scraper 32.11 22.15 15.91 Chert The prepared platform

is visible. 2% cortex visible on the dorsal surface. Retouched along the distal end on the dorsal surface.

52 Chunky Flake 34.21 29.34 15.37 Chert Struck from a core with prepared platform. 5 flake scars on the dorsal surface.


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53 Side and End Scraper

45.69 25.58 19.38 Chert Struck from a core with a prepared platform. Retouches along the right lateral edge (near the distal end) on the dorsal surface and on the distal end on the dorsal surface. 3 flake scars on the dorsal surface.

54 Blade Core 21.62 23.17 15.53 Chalcedony It has a prepared platform.

55 Flake 35.55 25.96 13.10 Chert Struck from a core with a prepared platform.

56 Double-Sided Scraper

35.96 27.43 12.02 Chert It has an irrailure bulb on the ventral surface indicating indirect percussion technique was employed. 4 flake scars on the dorsal surface. Regular retouches along both the lateral edges right till the distal end on the dorsal surface.

57 Core 23.55 16.97 16.52 Quartz It is bi-polar. 10% cortex visible on the surface. 3 blade scars.

58 Core 34.68 30.80 22.83 Chert It is uni-polar and has 8 flake scars on the surface.

59 Utilized Flake 28.87 27.22 6.68 Chert It has a positive bulb on the dorsal surface. Use marks are visible.

60 Flake 36.79 23.42 10.80 Chert Flake 61 Side Scraper 36.57 18.26 7.20 Chert Made on an end struck

flake. Retouches along the right lateral edge on the ventral surface.

62 Side Scraper 36.23 25.14 11.50 Chert Retouches along left lateral edge on the dorsal surface.

63 Side Scraper 32.82 20.84 7.21 Chert Retouches along left lateral edge on the dorsal surface

64 Flake 32.39 21.49 9.01 Milky Quartz

95% cortex is there on the surface. It is a primary flake.

65 Flake 18.08 12.17 4.95 Chert Retouches along both the lateral edges.


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66 Blade Fragment

18.11 11.27 5.90 Agate Broken from the distal end.

67 Flake 43.92 26.85 13.29 Chert It is a side struck flake 68 Flake 20.19 29.10 4.78 Chert It is a side struck flake 69 Side Scraper 30.18 16.01 9.06 Made on end struck

flake. Retouching along the left lateral edge on the ventral surface.

70 Core Fragment

28.96 19.45 10.64 Milky Quartz

50 % cortex cover on the surface.

71 Flake 23.83 20.45 5.96 Milky Quartz

It is an end struck flake

72 Exhausted Core

17.11 14.97 9.88 Milky Quartz

6 flake scars on the surface.

73 Core 23.42 23.37 17.67 Milky Quartz

The raw material has lot of impurities. Only 3 flake scars

74 Flake 21.32 19.57 12.67 Chert Broken from the distal end

75 Blade Fragment

13.58 14.19 4.77 Chalcedony Parallel sided blade. Broken from distal end. Use wear marks visible along the lateral edges.

76 Irregular core/ Modified chunk

53.26 55.59 31.90 Chert 70% Cortex visible on the surface. There are impurities in the raw material. It was discarded after removing 5 flakes.

77 Core Fragment/ Chunk

55.63 44.94 18.49 Chert It was in later use. It seems relatively fresh.


25.08 23.92 11.02 Chert It is retouched along the right lateral edge on the ventral surface and along the left lateral edge on the dorsal surface.

79 Side Scraper and end scraper

45.06 25.37 13.16 Chert It is retouched along the left lateral edge on the dorsal surface and continuing till the distal end.

80 Flake 36.84 25.62 8.29 Chert It is a primary flake as cortex covers the entire dorsal surface.

81 Utilized Flake 30.26 28.10 7.53 Chert Use wear marks along the lateral edge,

82 Flake 27.23 20.20 8.19 Chert It is a side struck flake


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83 Scraper 25.06 32.22 12.67 Chert End Scraper made on a side struck flake. Retouched along the distal end on the dorsal surface.

84 Flake 33.26 23.14 9.92 Chert End struck Flake 85 Flake 34.80 30.64 12.26 Chert End struck Flake 86 Flake 22.40 23.73 10.46 Chert End struck Flake 87 Side Scraper 19.20 27.31 9.05 Chert Retouched along the left

lateral edge on the dorsal surface.

88 Side Scraper 23.34 22.70 12.77 Chert Retouched along the left lateral edge on the ventral surface.

89 Utilized Flake 20.47 26.16 10.89 Chert Use wear marks along the lateral edges,

90 Debitage 13.26 15.18 8.29 Chalcedony Waste of lithic knapping.

91 Flake 16.62 30.83 9.03 Chert It is a side-struck flake. 92 Side Scraper 22.03 17.99 6.10 Chert Retouched along the left

lateral edge on the dorsal surface. Broken from the distal end.

Spatial Distribution of Stone Circles and Cairns at Ubali In this paper, it is assumed that the Megaliths at Ubali are funerary in character. The modifications that the Megalithic community made on the landscapes for disposal of the dead by creating circles and cairns by using the available raw materials within the geographical region of Ubali suggest that the boundaries of each burial were to be defined, probably to establish a social norm. Once the boundaries are defined, the human behaviour within these bounded regions also gets defined. This signifies the ‘dead’, the traditions and social practices to which the ‘dead’ belonged to. It is such practices that later on develop into traditions and eventually become a societal norm.

The distance between the Megalithic monuments at Ubali were widely varying; approximately between 3 m and 6 m, while the diameter of the monuments also varied (Table 2). Some of the Stone Circles are interlinked and form intersecting rings. Such instances probably represent burials of individuals bound by kinship ties. When the spatial distribution of the burials along with their sizes is linked with the landscape, it is possible to assume that the distribution of burials at different gradients of the same landscape points to some form of social hierarchy. In other words, the natural elevation of the area was utilized to construct and represent a social ladder, with the burials of less significant individuals at the basal level of the mound, followed by burials of larger diameter of individuals of comparatively higher social status with the individual of the highest social status having a burial on higher gradient. However, these


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propositions can be validated only through excavations and understanding of the varieties of burial goods within each burial.

Figure 12: Menhirs within a Pradhan’s House

Figure 13: Menhirs and Dolmens in community erection area


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Table 2: Dimensions and Characteristic Features of the Megalithic Burials

In support of the above proposition an ethnographic analogy can be mentioned here. While undertaking archaeological surveys in the aforesaid region, an ethnographic study of disposing the dead within the tribe; ‘Gondi’ was undertaken. The Gondi tribes inhabit the area of Gadchiroli District, Vidarbha region, Maharashtra. The Gondis are primarily forest dwellers and engage in toddy tapping and iron smithery. There are two clans among the Gondis, namely Pradhan Marias and Marias. Within the Gondis, the Pradhan Marias is considered as socially higher. While the Pradhan Marias are allowed to erect the Menhirs and Dolmens within the compound of their house during the disposal of the dead (Fig. 12), the Marias have a designated area outside their settlement to erect the Menhirs and Dolmens (Fig. 13). This ethnographic observation suggests that the choice of land for burial and even the burial practices are depended on the social stratification. Within the light of these observations, the aforesaid propositions appear to be valid, however, needs to be validated through excavations and analysis of burial goods.

Burial No. N-S (m) E-W (m) No of Boulders State of Preservation 1 15.22 16.55 21 Complete 2 NA NA 8 (inner circle) 4

(outer circle) Incomplete Double Stone circle

3 12.9 9.8 13 Complete 4 17.15 17.54 30 Complete 5 15.55 16.60 26 Complete 6 NA NA 17 Incomplete 7 18 19 38 Complete 8 14.75 13.65 19 Complete 9 NA NA 10 Incomplete 10 NA NA NA Elevation visible, however

no stones on the periphery. Either they are embedded or destroyed.

11 NA NA 43 Incomplete 12 16.27 15.44 26 Complete 13 NA NA 17 Incomplete 14 11.58 12.50 22 Complete 15 14.23 13.85 31 Complete 16 14.40 15.58 36 Complete 17 NA NA 12 Incomplete 18 20 22 58 Complete 19 NA NA 5 Incomplete 20 NA NA NA Incomplete no clear

boundary


104

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Understanding the Megalithic Landscape of Ubali ...half of Nagpur district is covered by the spread of basaltic and doleritic lava. This formation has been termed as Deccan Trap. The