The survival of hunter-gatherers in the Iron Age suggests that the unilinear model of cultural evolution cannot explain the cultural processes in this region. Introduction outlines the objectives and the methodology of the present research work, and also presents an overview of the previous research work in the Madurai region. Environmental Background surveys the geography, geology, climate, flora and fauna of the field area. Mesolithic Phase describes the nature and the characteristics of the evidences pertaining to the Mesolithic phase, and analyses the Settlement System. Iron Age gives a detailed account of the Iron Age relics discovered in this basin and attempts to investigate the settlement system by integrating various forms of evidence viz ., archaeological, historical and ethnographical.
Conclusion highlights the results of the present research.
It also points out the gaps in present knowledge, and suggests steps for further research in the study area.