TY - JOUR
T1 - Breaking it down
T2 - Ethnographic studies on the manufacture of basalt grinding stones in India
AU - Bhattacharya, Sutonuka
AU - Joshi, Prachi
AU - Akhilesh, Kumar
AU - Goren-Inbar, Naama
AU - Shelach-Lavi, Gideon
AU - Pappu, Shanti
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2025/4
Y1 - 2025/4
N2 - In this study, we utilize the chaîne opératoire approach to examine the complex process of traditional manufacturing of basalt grinding stones in India. We examine decision-making processes related to knapping strategies beginning with the sourcing of basalt, the quarrying of appropriate blocks, and varied stages of knapping using indirect percussion with specialized iron chisels and hammers. We document the nature of waste products and the morphology of the grinding stone at various stages during this process. We compare this with ethnographic and archaeological data from Neolithic-Chalcolithic archaeological sites in India and globally where basalt grinding stones are noted, discussing variability like the lithic assemblages generated.
AB - In this study, we utilize the chaîne opératoire approach to examine the complex process of traditional manufacturing of basalt grinding stones in India. We examine decision-making processes related to knapping strategies beginning with the sourcing of basalt, the quarrying of appropriate blocks, and varied stages of knapping using indirect percussion with specialized iron chisels and hammers. We document the nature of waste products and the morphology of the grinding stone at various stages during this process. We compare this with ethnographic and archaeological data from Neolithic-Chalcolithic archaeological sites in India and globally where basalt grinding stones are noted, discussing variability like the lithic assemblages generated.
KW - Basalt
KW - Chaîne opératoire
KW - Ethnoarchaeology
KW - Grinding stones
KW - India
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85216129651&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.104988
DO - 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.104988
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AN - SCOPUS:85216129651
SN - 2352-409X
VL - 62
JO - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
JF - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
M1 - 104988
ER -