Stone tools, Species and Speculations: Thoughts on discussing evolutionary trajectories in the Indian Palaeolithic

Debates on population migrations in South Asia necessarily require a consideration of the evolution of concepts on dispersals and cultural trajectories. Here, we present thoughts on the evolution of conceptual approaches and nomenclatures in Indian prehistory, with implications for current interpretations of the nature and timing of dispersals. We situate these issues in the context of our own long-term research in Tamil Nadu, with a focus on the sites of Attirampakkam and other sites in SE India.

Although the focus of this conference is on ‘modern’ humans, we examine processes of cultural change beginning with the Acheulian and evolutionary trajectories within this phase. We discuss our ongoing research into the early Middle Palaeolithic at Attirampakkam, marked by a shift to new technological strategies with implications for hominin behaviour. We suggest caution in attributing this phase to modern humans in the absence of hominin fossil remains. We proceed to discuss the implications of dispersals and their regional spatial and temporal variability as regards the Late Palaeolithic in southern Tamil Nadu and its significance for examining new data from Sri Lanka. We conclude by highlighting key issues that need to be considered in future research strategies in South Asia.