Robert Bruce Foote
Encyclopedia
Robert Bruce Foote was a British
geologist
and archaeologist who conducted geological surveys of prehistoric locations in India
for the Geological Survey of India
. In 1863, the year after his archaeological survey began, he discovered the first conclusive Paleolithic
stone tool (a hand axe
) in India. He found the tool in southern India (Pallavaram
, near Madras
). After the discovery he, along with William King
, went on to discover more such tools and settlements in Southern and Western India. In 1884 he discovered the 3.5 km long Belum Caves
, the second largest cave in the Indian subcontinent
. Foote spent 33 years (starting at age 24) working for the geological survey. He is often considered the "Father of Indian Prehistory".
As a geologist, one of his significant contribution to Indian Geology is his memoir (Vol. XII) published by Geological Survey of India in 1876, titled "Geological Features of the South Mahratta Country and Adjacent Districts" (i.e. Border districts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh States, India). Even today, his memoir with its graphical language is a treat to 'read and follow' for the amateur geologists who want to study the rock successions of the northern Dharwar craton of South India.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and archaeologist who conducted geological surveys of prehistoric locations in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
for the Geological Survey of India
Geological Survey of India
Geological Survey of India , established in 1851 is a government organization in India which is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines of Union Government of India for conducting geological surveys and studies. It is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and the second oldest...
. In 1863, the year after his archaeological survey began, he discovered the first conclusive Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
stone tool (a hand axe
Hand axe
A hand axe is a bifacial Stone tool typical of the lower and middle Palaeolithic , and is the longest-used tool of human history.-Distribution:...
) in India. He found the tool in southern India (Pallavaram
Pallavaram
Pallavapuram Municipality was constituted as a III Grade Municipality on 17.01.1970 vide G.o.No. 55 R.D. & L.A. Department dated 12.01.1970, by Combining the following Town Panchayats and Panchayats.* Zamin Pallavaram Town Panchayat* Issa Pallavaram Town Panchayat...
, near Madras
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
). After the discovery he, along with William King
William King
William King may refer to:*Bill King, , American radio announcer*Billy King , Irish cricketer*Willie King , blues guitarist and singer...
, went on to discover more such tools and settlements in Southern and Western India. In 1884 he discovered the 3.5 km long Belum Caves
Belum Caves
Belum Caves is the second largest cave in Indian subcontinent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent, known for its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The caves reach its deepest point at the...
, the second largest cave in the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
. Foote spent 33 years (starting at age 24) working for the geological survey. He is often considered the "Father of Indian Prehistory".
As a geologist, one of his significant contribution to Indian Geology is his memoir (Vol. XII) published by Geological Survey of India in 1876, titled "Geological Features of the South Mahratta Country and Adjacent Districts" (i.e. Border districts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh States, India). Even today, his memoir with its graphical language is a treat to 'read and follow' for the amateur geologists who want to study the rock successions of the northern Dharwar craton of South India.