Pleistocene Hominin Fossil Femora and Humeri

2020

Self Cite

Understanding of human evolution in South Asia primarily rests on a solitary calvarium (partial skullcap) from Hathnora in the central Narmada valley, but its disputed taxonomic status has blurred the picture. Early explorations (1983-1992) led to the discovery of 2-clavicles and a 9 th rib from Hathnora, but those were so tiny to fit with the calvarium, and fueled the debate whether the calvarium is of a dwarf or a pygmy. Further explorations conducted (2005-2010) brought out 6-femora, 3-humeri and 2-sacra. They were derived from different localities and bio-stratigraphic and archaeological contexts, and posed a challenge of association with the calvarium or with other unknown hominins. The present study is undertaken to address this problem, and the postcranial bones are sorted into possible morphotypes based on criteria of robustness, estimated sex and stature/body size under the control of their contexts. The study distinguished two major morphotypes which reflect the process of humanization in the central Narmada valley and a possible evolutionary scenario for South Asia. The earliest morphotype is a "robust tall hominin", recognized as a unique hybrid cf. H. heidelbergensis, represented by the calvarium and two femora. It appeared around 300-150 ka in association with megaterrestrial fauna and late Acheulian tools-kit. The second morphotype is a "short and stocky" hominin, named Homo narmadensis Sp. Nov. This is hitherto unrecognized hominin represented by eight fossil bones in association with the "Upper Group fauna" and Middle to Upper Palaeolithic industry. It appeared about 150-100 ka and continued to ca. 40 ka, and was the likely precursor to the "short-bodied" ancient populations of India, including the Andaman pygmy.

Section: The Hominin Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary Perspective on Narmada Hominin Fossils

2020

Self Cite

“…So far the author and associates have collected 14 hominin postcranial fossils from different localities in the Central Narmada valley in stratified contexts (Sankhyan, 2017a(Sankhyan, , 2017b(Sankhyan, , 2020b) that suggest it a long solitary "paradise" of Middle to Late Pleistocene hominins in South Asia. None among many Narmada explorers could lay hand on such rare human fossils, perhaps therefore, a few scholars in their superficial overviews create confusion on their stratigraphic contexts.…”

Section: Inventors Of Haftingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Palaeolithic Hafting in Himachal Sub-Himalaya

2020

Self Cite

Hafting has brought a landmark change in technology and behavior of the Palaeolithic man heralding evolution of anatomical modernity and behavior. The author recently discovered large assemblages of Late Acheulian to Middle Palaeolithic industries from the Quaternary fans of the Sub-Himalayan piedmont area of Ghumarwin Sir Khad valley of Himachal Pradesh. He identified 20 typological categories in a collection of 450 stone implements, which include several new tool types, so far unknown in other Indian sites. There is a remarkable occurrence of 111 hafted implements; almost one in four is the hafted tools (24.67%). They include large-sized axes/adzes, spears, sickles, shovels, picks, chopping tools, etc. among the frequent types, noticed for the first time in northwestern Sub-Himalaya of India. The diversified hafting in the region suggests diverse activities of the prehistoric man, like intense wood cutting/wood work, large game hunting, butchering, and some warfare as well. In addition, soil processing for primeval farming is also indicated.

“…However, the fossil remains of the Palaeolithic tool-maker are yet awaited from the area. They are so far recovered only from the Central Narmada valley in South Asia with a large share by the author to the contribution [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Future studies are contemplated to understand the bio-stratigraphy, chronology and paleoecology under the auspicious of Palaeo Research Society and the findings need to be deposited in the Palaeo Museum set up last year at Ghumarwin, where the fossil and present Palaeolithic material are housed.…”

Section: Such Tools Have Not Been Reported From Peninsularmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bamulian: A Unique Sub-Himalayan Palaeolithic Culture of North India

2018

GJAA

Reported here is a unique and richest Acheulean site Bam-Tanda along the Sir Khad -a tributary of river Satluj flowing through Ghumarwin -Bilaspur area of Himachal Pradesh, north India. The indication of Acheulian was noted since 2010, but the magnitude of such findings could only be realized after having collected 402 tools in the fall of year 2017 and beginning of 2018. This site alone has the largest share of 300 Acheulian tools compared to 50 tools from Atabarpur (Punjab). Here, the handaxes (138) predominate the cleavers (77), and the spear and arrow projectiles (40) take over the choppers (34). For the first time the haftable adzes and hoes (26) were also discovered coupled with large and moderate sized sickles (2), saw-cutters (2) and chisels (2). The backed knives (18) and end-scrapers ( 14) are quite frequent as are the side and convergent scarpers (18). Three hitherto unknown 'Laurel Leaf'-kind of thin and large flake blade tools rather weapons add to the quality of the site. Another unique feature is occurrence of gigantic handaxes, cleavers and choppers attesting the might of their user. In view of such a diversity, richness and uniqueness of the site, it is christened as Bamulian, after the village Bam. The mighty Bamulian man ruled the Sub-Himalayan region for long from ca 0.5 to 0.05 million years ago, and pushed the tiny Soan Man deep into the Siwalik forests and Choes, and made him extinct or migrate elsewhere.