Robert Bruce Foote

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Robert Bruce Foote (1834-1912) 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.