Grinding stones from the neolithic “Ashmound” site of Budihal, India

Grinding stones are one of the most ubiquitous artefacts within Southern Neolithic sites in peninsular India, yet their technological, functional, and socio-cultural significance remains underexplored. This paper presents a detailed techno-functional analysis of sandstone grinding stones from the Neolithic site of Budihal (∼2480–1580 BCE), located in the Shorapur Doab of Karnataka. Applying a combined methodology of typological classification, 3D modelling, and surface analysis to examine raw material selection, manufacturing strategies, working surface modification, and use-life trajectories of the grinding stones. Findings reveal consistent technological strategies rooted in the selection of locally available sandstone slabs, minimal initial shaping, and extensive use of flaking and pecking for surface preparation. Variability in working surface profiles, rim formation, and pecking intensity suggest functional differentiation, possibly reflecting task-specific or user-specific practices. Contextual comparisons indicate primary use and storage within domestic spaces, with broken tools likely discarded or repurposed. Patterns of rejuvenation, asymmetrical wear, and embedded tool bases align with contemporary ethnographic examples and point to shared technological traditions transmitted through practice. This study situates Budihal's grinding stone assemblage within broader South Indian Neolithic traditions, contributing to a deeper understanding of tool biographies, subsistence practices, and embodied technological knowledge.