Question

Which of the following prehistoric sites had Acheulian tool tradition ?

• A. Bhimbetka
• B. Attirampakkam
• C. Burzahom
• D. Bagor

Hint:

Acheulian culture belongs to the Lower Paleolithic period and is famous for bifacial hand axes and cleavers. Attirampakkam is one of India’s major Acheulian sites.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Acheulian tradition refers to an important Lower Paleolithic stone tool culture characterized mainly by:
• Hand axes,
• Cleavers,
• Bifacial stone tools. The Acheulian culture is associated with early human ancestors such as: \[ \textit{Homo erectus} \] In India, several prehistoric sites have yielded Acheulian tools, among which Attirampakkam is one of the most famous and scientifically important sites.

Step 1: Understanding Acheulian tradition. The Acheulian tool industry belongs to: \[ Lower Paleolithic Period \] Its major characteristics include:
• Bifacially worked tools,
• Symmetrical hand axes,
• Cleavers and chopping tools,
• Quartzite and stone-based technology. These tools represent significant advancement in prehistoric human technology.

Step 2: Analyzing Attirampakkam. Attirampakkam is located in Tamil Nadu and is one of the most important Lower Paleolithic sites in India. Archaeological excavations at this site revealed:
• Acheulian hand axes,
• Cleavers,
• Early stone tool assemblages. The site is internationally significant because it pushed back the antiquity of Acheulian culture in South Asia. Therefore: \[ \boxed{\text{Attirampakkam had Acheulian tool tradition}} \]

Step 3: Analyzing the remaining options carefully. Option (A): \[ \text{Bhimbetka} \] Bhimbetka is famous mainly for:
• Rock shelters,
• Cave paintings,
• Multiple prehistoric cultural phases. Although Stone Age remains exist there, the site is not primarily identified in this question with Acheulian tradition. Hence, incorrect. Option (C): \[ \text{Burzahom} \] Burzahom is a Neolithic site in Kashmir known for:
• Pit dwellings,
• Bone tools,
• Neolithic culture. It is not an Acheulian site. Hence, incorrect. Option (D): \[ \text{Bagor} \] Bagor is mainly associated with Mesolithic culture and early pastoralism. Thus, it is not related to Acheulian tradition. Hence, incorrect.

Step 4: Final conclusion. Since Attirampakkam is the important prehistoric site associated with Acheulian tool tradition, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{(B) Attirampakkam}} \]