Which Neolithic Site is known for its ash mound?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
Palavoy is a significant Neolithic site located in the state of Andhra Pradesh (previously part of Madras Presidency) in South India. This region, particularly the Deccan plateau, is famous in archaeological studies for its characteristic "ash mounds." These mounds are vast accumulations of burnt cow dung, representing the ancient practice of seasonal cattle penning. During the Neolithic period, pastoral communities would gather their cattle in temporary enclosures, and the accumulated dung was periodically burnt during rituals or before moving to new grazing lands, resulting in these large mounds of ash. Palavoy, along with sites like Utnur and Piklihal, is a classic example of these ash mound sites, which provide critical evidence regarding early agro-pastoral economies in South India, including cattle herding and specialized pastoral practices.

The incorrect option is 1:
Mehrgarh, located in modern-day Balochistan, Pakistan, is famous as one of the earliest sites in South Asia showing evidence of farming and settled life, dating back to 7000 BCE. Its primary importance lies in demonstrating the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture, featuring mudbrick architecture, not large ash mounds.

The incorrect option is 2:
Gufkral, situated in the Kashmir Valley, is known for its sequence of Neolithic occupations, particularly the presence of pit-dwellings and bone tools. It is primarily recognized as a unique example of the Kashmiri Neolithic culture, distinct from the Southern Neolithic ash mound tradition.

The incorrect option is 3:
Chirand is a major Neolithic site located in Bihar, near the confluence of the Ganga and Ghaghra rivers. It is well-known for its extensive bone implements, Neolithic pottery, and semi-circular huts, representing an important early agricultural community in the Eastern Indian plains, but it is not known for the characteristic ash mounds found in the Deccan.