Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 94

THE NEOLITHIC Períod with one side raised into a distinct ridge. It measured 4.5 inches in height, 4 inches in length at the cutting edge, but only 2 inches at the top. However, it could not be styled as a palaeolith or a neolith, because it was manufactured with a few deft strokes and did not require any clumsy chipping.
The neoliths, discovered by R. D. Banerji, begin with a short narrow boucher with a beautifully rounded cutting edge measuring 4.1 inches in length and 2 inches in breadth. The cutting edge and the portion adjoining it are made smooth by rubbing, but the portion above that shows signs of chipping. The remaining neoliths show a distinct polish in addition to smoothing. They are, for the most part, small celts or bouchers in which all traces of chipping appear to have been carefully removed. The following specimens have been described :(1) A celt measuring 2.8 inches in height and 1.8 inches
in breadth. The polish is less distinct on the smooth surface. The cutting edge is slightly
rounded and the surface shows signs of weathering. (2) The other specimen measures 2.8 inches in height
and 1.8 inches in breath at the bottom. It is sufficiently polished to 'reflect light. Here the cutting edge is perfectly straight-a characteristic very
rare in Indian neoliths. (3) A small adze measuring 2.6 inches in height, 1.9
inches at the base and 1.1 inches at the top. The polish is distinctly bright. The cutting edge is curved and one side of it is much more convex than the other.
1. U. o., 1, p. 37. 2. Ibid, pp. 37-39.