Neolithic ashmounds of the Deccan represent burnt cow-dung accumulations and occupy a unique place in the archaeological record of the world. Their initial discoveries stretch back to the opening years of the 19th century. Setting aside various fanciful opinions expressed about their age and origin, Raymond Allchin of Cambridge University published a full monograph titled Neolithic Cattle-Keepers of South India: A Study of the Deccan Ashmounds (1963). Combining archaeological evidence from his explorations and excavation at Utnur with ethnographic data of various kinds from the area, he showed that the ashmounds were seasonal cattle camps of the Neolithic pastoralists. Further, he convincingly argued that the accumulated cow-dung deposits at these camps were intentionally burnt as part of cattle fertility rites.The present monograph is the second major publication on the topic of ashmounds. It is based on Paddayya’s fresh field studies of all major ashmounds in southern Deccan and seven seasons of large-scale excavations at Budihal in North Karnataka. While confirming Allchin’s views about the Neolithic age of ashmounds and association of cow-dung burnings with cattle fertility rites, Paddayya goes one step further and asserts that these sites represent year-round pastoral settlements with a provision for cattle penning, cow-dung disposal and human settlement.