Robert Bruce Foote and his colleagueWilliam King of theEast India Company's Geological Survey found the first primitive stone tools at Attirampakkam in early 1863. Later, more stone tools were recovered from Attirampakkam over 20 years by archaeologists from the Sharma Centre for Heritage Education in India and other Indian institutions.[7]
With the assistance of French scientists, the age of the objects found in the trenches was determined using cosmic ray exposure dating (26Al/10Be).[8] It was the first time an archaeological site in India was dated by this method. By performing aluminescence dating method called Post Infrared Stimulated Luminescence (pIR-IRSL) on about 7,200 artifacts found at Attirampakkam, researchers have made achronology of Attirampakkam stone tool technology with a span of about 200,000 years.[9] Latest studies indicate that theLevallois technology used at Attirampakkam emerged about 385,000 (± 64,000) years ago, at a period when processes signifying the end of theAcheulian culture occurred and aMiddle Palaeolithic culture had emerged.[3][9]
Creation of a lengthy stratigraphic sequence with layered occupancy levels between the Middle Palaeolithic and Acheulian periods.
The finding of a previously unknown new Acheulian horizon deep within buried deposits.
An estimated 1 to 1.7 Ma (million years ago) marked the establishment of the oldest Acheulian in India, which may have significant effects on the distribution of Homo erectus s.l. Throughout Asia.
Comprehensive analyses of the typology, technology, and manufacturing sequences of stone artifacts from the Acheulian to the Middle Palaeolithic provide fresh insights into hominins' behavior.
Experimental reconstruction of the steps and applications in the manufacture of tools and new projects involving microwear on tool edges.
Investigations of sediments that provided fresh insights into palaeomonsoons in this area during the Acheulian and Middle Palaeolithic eras of occupancy.
Using pollen proxies and phytoliths, the site's historical vegetation is examined.
