A general survey on Stone Age evidence has been carried out by the State Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad since 1960, and discovered a good number of artifacts from various sites in Andhra Pradesh. Organization of Prehistoric Gallery in Sri Sailam Pavilion, a Museum on the premises of the Directorate of Archaeology during the year, 1998 brought to the public the said discoveries, however, they remained unpublished. The material selected from various sites by the department and displayed in the Plates (showcases of the Museum), forms the source material for this work, "Studies in Prehistoric Cultures of Andhra Pradesh".
Fundamental information in Earth Science, Life History, and Anthropology is provided in Plates as background knowledge in brief. For a better understanding of tools, a detailed note on each artifact in Plates is also given. Some more description is provided on tools though not covered by Plates for type-sites of the Microlithic period such as Ghanpoor, Sitapalli, and Chennaraopet. The aim behind this is to enable interested students to make out different pointed, edge, and multipurpose tools in the assemblages of different periods of the Palaeolithic and Microlithic. Also, to get information about the nature and stage of manufacture, raw material selected, techniques applied, probable function a tool served in a given economy, and the progress made. Self-explanation in Plates may enable independent study.
Brief information on the researchers made and interpretations given in the Lower, Middle, Upper, and Microlithic Periods by scholars in the field is also recorded for a clear understanding.
First, I wish to express my appreciation to my colleague, Dr. M. Kasturi who extended so much cooperation in the preparation of Plates and Manuscript. Also my appreciation to Sri Ramakrishna, Technical Assistant, who associated with us in the entire work sincerely.
I am thankful to Sri N. R. V. Prasad, former Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, for initiating this work.
My sincere thanks are due to Sri S. Dasarathi Chief Museum Officer, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, for his expert guidance in the arrangement of Plates.