Settlement pattern and the spatial organization of subsistence and mortuary practices in the Mesolithic Ganges valley, north‐central India

Chattopadhyaya, Umesh

doi:10.1080/00438243.1996.9980320

Cited by 24 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Earlier radiocarbon dates are variable with SNR and MDH yielding some early and some late Holocene results (Possehl and Rissman, 1992). Since 1992, several new 14 C dates have been published which suggest a mid-Holocene antiquity for MDH (6,320 6 80 BP; OxA-1647; Chattopadhyaya, 1996) and an early Holocene age for DDM (8,865 and 8,640 6 65 BP; Lukacs et al, 1996).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stature in Holocene foragers of North India

Lukacs

Pal

Nelson

2013

American J Phys Anthropol

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The Ganga Plain of North India provides an archaeological and skeletal record of semi-nomadic Holocene foragers in association with an aceramic Mesolithic culture. Prior estimates of stature for Mesolithic Lake Cultures (MLC) used inappropriate equations from an American White reference group and need revision. Attention is given to intralimb body proportions and geo-climatic provenance of MLC series in considering the most suitable reference population. Regression equations from ancient Egyptians are used in reconstructing stature for MLC skeletal series from Damdama (DDM), Mahadaha (MDH), and Sarai Nahar Rai (SNR). Mean stature is estimated at between 174 (MDH) and 178 cm (DDM and SNR) for males, and between 163 cm (MDH) and 179 cm (SNR) for females. Stature estimates based on ancient Egyptian equations are significantly shorter (from 3.5 to 7.1 cm shorter in males; from 3.2 to 7.5 cm shorter in females) than estimates using the American White reference group. Revised stature estimates from tibia length and from femur + tibia more accurately estimate MLC stature for two reasons: a) these elements are highly correlated with stature and have lower standard estimates of error, and b) uncertainty regarding methods of measuring tibia length is avoided. When compared with Holocene samples of native Americans and Mesolithic Europeans, MLC series from North India are tall. This aspect of their biological variation confirms earlier assessments and results from the synergistic influence of balanced nutrition from broad-spectrum foraging, body-proportions adapted to a seasonally hot and arid climate, and the functional demands of a mobile, semi-nomadic life-style.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stature in Holocene foragers of North India

Lukacs

Pal

Nelson

2013

American J Phys Anthropol

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“…South Asia is a large and complex region, and the modern climate and environments bear only partial resemblance to the conditions of OIS 4. Major terrestrial features, such as the Indus and Ganges Rivers and tributaries, have shifted their locations across the landscape (Chattopadhyaya, 1996;Schuldenrein, 2002), and produced extensive Holocene-aged deposits that overlie earlier Pleistocene-aged ones. Uplift and regional aridity have changed the activity patterns of fresh water sources, and either increased or decreased sediment loads in major drainages (Bhandari et al, 2005;Enzel et al, 1999;Kar et al, 2001;Srivastava et al, 2003).…”

Section: Paleoenvironmental Reconstructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The southern dispersal hypothesis and the South Asian archaeological record: Examination of dispersal routes through GIS analysis

Field

Petraglia

Lahr

2007

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

126

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“…Cemeteries are found only along the river, and Pardoe (1988) argues that this indicates the presence of territorial lineages. Chattopadhyaya (1996) argues similarly about the cemeteries on the River Ganges in India. Likewise Elder (2010) concludes that Late Mesolithic cemeteries in southern Scandinavia indicate a stable territorial regime.…”

Section: Territoriality Cemeteries and The Saxe-goldstein Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Hunter-Gatherer Variability: Developing Models for the Northern Coasts

Rowley‐Conwy¹,

Piper²

2017

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. Hunter-fisher-gatherer (HFG) variability has received a lot of attention. We review the key developments in the theories of variability, which have usually resulted in binary classifications. We argue that a range of variation based on the degree of territorial ownership is preferable to these classifications. Hunter-fisher-gatherers of the world's northern coasts have only been partially explored in this way with regard to variability. A major reason for this is that such coastal groups use boats, so normative models of inland terrestrial foraging are not immediately applicable. We suggest that the Saxe-Goldstein hypothesis, the cautious linking of territoriality to funerary behaviour, may be a useful avenue to explore. Much work has been done by scholars of the northern coasts on boats and maritime transport, and some conclusions could be extrapolated to regions farther south.Key words: hunter-fisher-gatherers; variability; foragers; collectors delayed return; Saxe-Goldstein hypothesis; cemetery; mobility RÉSUMÉ. La variabilité caractérisant les chasseurs-pêcheurs-cueilleurs (CPC) reçoit beaucoup d'attention. Nous passons en revue les principaux développements en ce qui a trait aux théories de la variabilité, qui se traduisent habituellement par des classifications binaires. Nous soutenons qu'une plage de variations fondée sur le degré de propriété territoriale est préférable à ces classifications. La variabilité caractérisant les chasseurs-pêcheurs-cueilleurs des côtes nord de la planète n'a été étudiée qu'en partie. Cela s'explique majoritairement par le fait que ces groupes côtiers se servent d'embarcations, si bien que les modèles normatifs de recherche de nourriture à l'intérieur des terres ne sont pas immédiatement applicables. Nous suggérons que l'hypothèse de Saxe-Goldstein, soit le lien prudent entre la territorialité et le comportement funéraire, pourrait présenter une piste valant la peine d'être explorée. Les spécialistes des côtes nord ont beaucoup étudié le transport maritime et le transport au moyen d'embarcations, si bien qu'il pourrait être possible d'extrapoler certaines conclusions quant aux régions situées plus au sud.

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Settlement pattern and the spatial organization of subsistence and mortuary practices in the Mesolithic Ganges valley, north‐central India

Cited by 24 publications

References 5 publications

Stature in Holocene foragers of North India

Stature in Holocene foragers of North India

The southern dispersal hypothesis and the South Asian archaeological record: Examination of dispersal routes through GIS analysis

Hunter-Gatherer Variability: Developing Models for the Northern Coasts

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