Pre, Proto and Early Historic Cultures of Krishna Tungabhadra Velley

Book excerpt: The present book attempts to provide a systematic and scientific account of the culture and civilization of Man in Krishna Tungabhadra Valley of A. P. right from pre-historic times to the early historic period, based on extensive field work i.e. explorations and excavations, besides critical examination of the material evidences encountered. Dr. B. Subrahmanyam, provides a clear picture of the life of ancient man right from pre-historic times to the level of urbanisation through various stages. The book also encapsulates the original discoveries met with during explorations and excavations and he interprets the evidence in proper cultural and chronological contexts. Some of the discoveries are indeed very fascinating as they were not reported either from South-India or from the sub-continent earlier. For examples, the occurrence of middle palaeolithic tools in association with the skeletal remains of Bosnomadicus in an end Pleistocene section and also Macro-facies in Mesolithic cultural context, near rock art cave sites on the banks of the river Krishna, really are remarkable in the pre-historic cultural context of the valley. The discovery of a new stone age tool-kit in neolithic culture and wooden coffins in a pit burial in megalithic context from this valley, considered as unique examples, are yet to be reported from the sub-continent in proto-historic context of India. A critical examination of the above evidences seems to attest to the theory of cultural diffusion into the valley from west Asia during proto-historic times. The book also suggests that Saivism flourished in the valley through early brick temples, during the Satavahana times (1st-2nd c. A.D.), near the confluence points, whereas Buddhism was predominant in the coastal belt of Andhradesa in the lower reaches of the valley. Numismatic evidences, in the form of Roman, Satavahana and Maharathi coins in association with early brick structures in this valley, once again confirms the prevalence of maritime trade contacts with the other parts of the world through this valley. On the whole, the book critically examines fresh archaeological data unearthed not only from the nuclear zones of this valley but also from the peripheral areas, in order to obtain an overall picture of the life of ancient man right from pre-historic to early historic times.