Abstract

In the semi-arid climate and stream channel- granitic inselberg landscapeof Navilagudda in Raichur Doab (Raichur, Karnataka), sixteen prominent axe-grinding grooves over the granitic boulders were recorded. Random reconnaissance at the site indicated no surface scatter of any cultural materials including lithic tool debitage. Within a given limited archaeological data, the primary assertion is, such sites would have performed as non-settlement axe trading centre equipping settlement sites elsewhere during the Neolithic (3000-1200BCE).Statistical and morphological study of the grooves suggests the site was limited to grinding the axe laterals and facets, and there is no such grooves suggesting for axe edge sharpening which could have happened elsewhere in the region or settlement sites.

Keywords South Asia; Southern neolithic; Axe-grinding grooves;Lithic tool strade