Srikanta أُعيد تغريده
The exploration in Uttara Kannada district was conducted along the west coast between Karwar and Bhatkal, covering regions such as Ankola, Bhatkal, Gokarna, and Kumta tehsils. The area was intensively surveyed with a focus on lateritic hill formations, where prehistoric sites were systematically investigated.
The findings revealed that both Mesolithic and Neolithic cultural remains occur on the tops of lateritic hills at elevations ranging from 30 to 120 meters. The Mesolithic assemblage comprised scrapers, points, borers, flakes, blades, cores, and fluted cores, with points being the most predominant. All tools were made of milky quartz and exhibited a brown patination indicating their association with primary laterite. Neolithic artefacts included celts and a mace-head made of trap rock.
In terms of site distribution, important Mesolithic sites in Ankola tehsil were identified at Belakeri, Bhavikeri, Hausa, Kanchibail, Shirgunji, and Sulerbail, while Tallan was the only Mesolithic site in Bhatkal tehsil. Mesolithic artefacts were also found at Gokarna and Mudangi in Gokarna tehsil. In Kumta tehsil, Mesolithic tools were discovered at Harnit, along with Neolithic artefacts at Kumta and Nilakonda. Additionally, a rock shelter at Mirjan yielded Mesolithic tools from its floor, further confirming the presence of prehistoric activity in the region.
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