The prehistoric period is said to that ancient time when humans had originated but due to the non invention of script, no written evidence of that time is available. That is, the time which is before the written history is called the prehistoric era or rather the time which is before the Vedic age is called the prehistoric era. Many times you must have heard saying, 'This is from the age of Baba Adam'. So friends, The prehistoric period is only the time which is called the age of Baba Adam.
Historians have placed history in the following three categories
Prehistoric period - This is the period for which no written evidence is available. The history of this period completely depends on the evidence found in the excavation.
Proto-historic period - There is a written script of this period but it has not been read till date.
Historical period- The history of this period depends on the written means. Both archaeological and literary evidence of this period is available and the script has also been successfully read.
Today, in this part of the prehistoric period, we are going to give you information about the Stone Age. Please read carefully because here there is a need to understand along with reading with great care, and if still you do not understand anything, then you can ask me by commenting.
Historians have also divided the prehistoric period into three parts, such as:-
- Stone Age
- Bronze Age
- Iron Age
Stone Age means the age of stones. During this period humans used tools made of stone. Here the Stone Age is also divided into three parts:-
- Palaeolithic age (2500000 BC - 10000 BC)
- Mesolithic age ((10000 BC - 4000 BC)
- Neolithic age (4000 BC - 1000 BC)
Palaeolithic age (2500000 BC - 10000 BC)
The Paleolithic age is divided into the following three parts for easy understanding:-
- Lower Palaeolithic Age
- Middle Palaeolithic Age
- Upper Palaeolithic Age
Robert Brucefoot first obtained the Palaeolithic tool which was a hand axe in 1863 AD from a place called Pallavaram located near Madras. The Yale-Cambridge expedition team led by D. Terra and Peterson surveyed the Potwar plateau of the Shivalik hill in 1935 and obtained evidence of the Stone Age culture from there.
The life of the people of this period was nomadic whose main food was obtained from hunting. The people of this time did not do agriculture, but used to make a living by eating whatever tubers-roots and flowers and fruits were obtained from the forests. The man of this period was not as civilized and developed as the man of today. This is the reason that the man of this period was called Aadi Manava (Primal man). The people of this time were not even familiar with fire.
On the basis of the remains found during excavation from a place called Bori in Maharashtra, the existence of human can be considered 14 lakh years ago.
Lower Palaeolithic Age (2500000 BC - 100000 BC)
Pre-medieval instruments are divided into two major parts:-
Chopper-Chopping Pebble Culture - DN Wadia first obtained the tools of this culture in 1928 AD from Sohan River Valley, Punjab (Pakistan). That is why this culture is also called Sohan culture.
Hand-Axe Culture - The tools of this culture have been first obtained from Badmadurai and Atirampakkam near Madras in India.
Hand-Axe, Cleavers, Gandasa/ Chopper are the main tools of this period. The tools of this period were made of quartzite stone.
Pebul- These tools were chubby and flat pieces of stone rubbed in the flow of water.
Chapar (Gandasa) - These were large pieces of pebul stone, from one side of which the edge was made by removing the face. That is, on breaking these large pebul stones, the core used to come out in a large piece of stone, which was used as a tool. This large stone was called Chapar while the smaller part was called Falak. This culture is also called as Sohan culture as well as core culture.
Chopping - In these instruments, the edge was made in both sides of the pebul.
Early Palaeolithic sites in India
- Sohan river valley
- Kashmir
- Thar Desert (Didwana and Chittorgarh)
- Belan Valley (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh)
- Bhimbetka (Narmada Valley)
Bones of Homo erectus human have been found from Narmada valley. In 1982, Arun Sonkia discovered the fossil of prehistoric human from Hathnora village of Narmada valley. It was the first fossil of prehistoric humans discovered in India. Giddalur and Karim Pudi in Andhra Pradesh are sites of the Early Palaeolithic age. In Madhya Pradesh, tools of the Early Paleolithic age have been found in Sihawal in the Sohan river valley.
Middle Palaeolithic Age (100000 AD - 40000 AD)
The tools of this period were based on shalka. These tools were made by rubbing soft stone with heavy stones. These tools were made from stones like chert, jasper and flint. The main tools of this period are blade, borer, borer and scale scraper. This is the reason why this period is also called 'Scraper Vedhak Culture'.
Major sites of Middle Palaeolithic period in India
- Nevasa (Maharashtra)
- Singhbhumi and Palamu (Jharkhand)
- Chakia (Varanasi, U.P.)
- Belan Valley (Allahabad, U.P.)
- Singrauli Basin (Mirzapur, U.P.)
- Bhimbetka Cave (District Raisen, MP) - The oldest (Stone Age) evidence of painting in India has been found from this cave.
- Vyas-Banganga and Sirska Valley (H.P.)
- Saurashtra (Gujarat)
- Bagan, Berach and Kadmali Valley (Rajasthan)
Upper Palaeolithic Age (40000 BC-10000 BC)
The tools of this period were based on the blade. Blade-like tools were used more in this period. That is why it is called 'Falk' culture, or 'Aktakshini culture'. These tools were made of stones like chert, jasper, flint etc.
Sites of Upper Palaeolithic in India
- Singhbhumi (Jharkhand)
- Joghada, Bhimbetka, Baburi, Rampur, Baghor (M.P.)
- Patne, Bhadne, Inam Village (Maharashtra)
- Renigunta, Vemula, Kurnool Caves, Betamcharla (A.P.)
- Shorapur Doab (Karnataka)
- Visadi (Gujarat)
- Budha Pushkar (Rajasthan)
The statue of Mother Goddess made of bone of High Palaeolithic age has been found from Lohda Nala located in Belanghati of Allahabad.
By the end of this period, the modern form of humans, i.e. Homo sapiens, had emerged. During this period, new flint was used, which when rubbed together produced fire.
Mesolithic age (10000 BC - 4000 BC)
Microlithic (Microlithic) tools were used in the Mesolithic period. Mesolithic tools were first discovered by CL Carlaik in 1867 from the Vindhyachal hills.
5000 BC from the caves of Adamgarh in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. The first evidence of animal husbandry has been found in the vicinity. Five male skeletons have also been found from Bagor, which were systematically buried. VN from the same place. Mishra has received Iron Age tools between 1968 AD-1970.
Important sites of Mesolithic period in India
Langhnaj (Gujarat) - Archaeologists have divided the history of Langhnaj into two periods. The pottery of the first period was handmade, while the Neolithic pottery of the second period was made on chalk.
Nagarjunakonda, Renigunta and Giddalur (Andhra Pradesh)
Sanganakallu (Bellary, Karnataka) - The remains of circular huts have been found here from the excavation. The huts were made of bamboo. The remains of the stove have been found in the hut.
Tinnevelli (Tamil Nadu)
Birbhanpur (Vardhaman, West Bengal) - This site was excavated by BB Lal in 1957.
Bhimbetka - Bhimbetka is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. In 1957-1958, there are 500 rock shelters and caves in Bhimbetka. Evidence of antiquities and paintings of Mesolithic culture has been found on these rock shelters. Dr. VS in Bhimbetka Wakankar excavated here in 1972. Here the rock paintings of deer, reindeer, bear, pig, buffalo etc. have been received, in which some rock paintings are such in which humans are shown as intimate friends with animals. Evidence of human funeral rites has also been found from Bhimbetka along with tools of the Middle Stone Age.
Evidence of Mesolithic animal husbandry has been received from Adamgarh-Adamgarh. Apart from this, about 25000 very fine instruments of Mesolithic period have been found from Adamgarh rock shelter. Adamgarh is located near the Narmada River in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh. This site was discovered by RV Joshi in 1964 AD.
Morhna hill, Baghighor, Lehkhahia (Mirzapur), Chopanimando, Mahrudih (Allahabad, U.P.) - A large amount of Mesolithic small tools and pottery have been found from these areas as well.
Sarai Nahar Rai, Mahdaha and Damdama (Pratapgarh, U.P.) - A large number of samadhis, trough stoves have been received from these areas. Couple tombs of men and women have been found here. Garlands made of horns from the necks of the skeletons of men and coils made of this have been found in the ears. From the pieces of small bones obtained from the hearths here, it appears that these people used to roast the meat and eat it. Sarai Canal is situated on the banks of Sukhi Gokhur lake in Rai Pratapgarh district. Due to soil erosion during the rainy season, the antiquities are visible from above. Small stone tools, animal bones, human tombs and 8 pit stoves have been found here. The earliest remains of a Mesolithic human skeleton in India have been found from Sarai Nahar Rai and Mahdaha. Evidence of human attack or war has also been found in Sarai Nahar Rai.
Tilwara and Bagor - Mesolithic tools have been obtained from districts like Tilwara, Jadan, Kanwas on the banks of Sabarmati river in Rajasthan and Budha Pushkar Lake in Ajmer district, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Chittor, Kota etc. Apart from this, Bagore village of Bhilwara district has been obtained. The excavation of the Mahasati mound located near Mesolithic and Iron Age micro-remains has been found.
These tools were made on the blades of stones like quartz and chert. In addition to the hammer, silbatta and marking pottery have also been found in the major tools here. Apart from this, evidence of animal husbandry has been found here. Pieces of bones of rabbits, pigs, cows, deer, bulls and sheep have been found in domestic animals here. Apart from this, bones of pyre, sambar and fox have been found here, due to which it is estimated that these wild animals must have been hunted for food.
Copper tools have also been received from this mound, in which there are spears, arrows and pillows etc. Chalk utensils of this period have also been received from this mound. Many skeletons have also been found here. The bodies were probably buried with their heads facing the west. The humans of this period lived in huts made of thatch and bamboo sticks.
The dog was the most important of the domestic animals in the Mesolithic period. Evidence of the use of rhinoceros bones has been found in Langhnaj. The tools found from Langhnaj are the best specimens of the Mesolithic microlithic tools in India. Evidence of painting of Mesolithic period has also been found from places like Adamgarh, Mirzapur and Pratapgarh apart from Bhimbetka. Evidence of the use of fire in India has been found in the late Mesolithic period or in the early phase of the Neolithic period.
Neolithic age (4000 BC-1000 BC)
The first discovery of the Neolithic period in India was made by Lenmesurier in 1860 AD in the Tons river valley (U.P.). The earliest Neolithic settlement in the Indian subcontinent dates back to 7000 BC, which has been found from Mehrgarh, located on the banks of the Bolan River in the Balochistan province of present-day Pakistan. After this, all the sites of the Neolithic age have been found, they are all dated to 4000 BC. to 1000 BC are in the middle. The man of the Neolithic period was much more developed than the man of the Palaeolithic or Mesolithic period. In this era, man became a consumer as well as a producer. Man had begun to understand the relationship between the earth and the seed. He had come to know that a seed sprouts from a seed, then a plant from a seedling and a grain from a plant. Earlier he was dependent on forest vegetation, fruits, flowers and hunting.
The following are the characteristics of the Neolithic Age
Agriculture - The people of the Neolithic period had got the knowledge of agriculture. Evidence of wheat, barley and cotton cultivation in the Neolithic age has been received from Mehrgarh. Historians have called this region the 'bread basket of Balochistan'. Ragi and Kulthi were also cultivated during this period.
Animal Husbandry - During this period, importance was also given to animal husbandry. Dogs were kept as pets.
Chalk - During this period, utensils (pots) made entirely of chalk were used.
The stone tools of this period have been found in a more developed state. Stone tools were used to grind and sharpen for agricultural purposes and other uses. Evidence of polish on stone tools and pottery has been received from these sites. The stone ax was the main tool of the Neolithic age. Instead of wandering in the forests, humans now started living by making trough-awas (pit house). Man invented the wheel in the Neolithic age. Along with these, the boat was also invented in this period.
Sites of the Neolithic Age in India
Balochistan (Pakistan) - The remains of the Neolithic age have been found from Mehrgarh and Saraikhol in the Balochistan province of present-day Pakistan.
Kashmir - The main sites of Neolithic culture in Kashmir of India are Burzahom and Guffakral. Burzahom in 1935 by D. Tera and Peterson and by A. Guffakral in 1935. K Sharma excavated in 1981. Guffakral means potter's cave. The people of Guffakral used to do agriculture and animal husbandry. Based on the evidence obtained from the excavations of Gufakaral, it is estimated that by this time humans had become familiar with the method of grinding grain and sealing clothes. Evidence of domesticated dogs being buried in the grave along with the body of the owner has been found in Guffakral. Information about such a practice has not been found from any other Neolithic site in India. Burzahom means place of birth. The people of Burzahom used rough gray pottery.
Chirand - Chirand is an important site of the Neolithic period located in the Chapra district of Bihar. Chirand is situated at the confluence of the Ganges, Son, Gandak and Ghaghra rivers. A large number of bone tools have been found here, which are mainly made of deer horns. However, no stone tools have been found from this site.
Allahabad - Evidence of Neolithic age has been available from places like Koldihwa, Mahgada and Panchoh in Allahabad of Uttar Pradesh. Along with Neolithic tools, copper and iron tools have also been found from Koldihwa. This archaeological site is located in the Belan Valley. It is the only Neolithic site from where 6000 BC. The earliest evidence of rice (paddy) has been found. A huge fleet of animals has been found from a place called Mahgada (Mahagra) in Uttar Pradesh. Situated near Allahabad, the Chaupani Mando site is spread over an area of about 15,000 square kilometres. The world's oldest pottery and stone tools have been found from here. These instruments were dated to 17000 BC. to 7000 BC which point to the date of the Neolithic age being carried further back.
Important sites of Neolithic age in South India
Evidence of Neolithic age has been found for the first time in South India from Sanganakallu and Nagarjuna Konda. Bellary is the most important stone age site of South India. Apart from this, there are the following Neolithic archaeological sites of South India.
Karnataka- The important sites of Neolithic age in Karnataka are Maski, Brahmagiri, Sanganakallu, Hallur, Kodaikal, T. Narsinghpur and Tekkala Kota.
Andhra Pradesh - Evidence of Neolithic age in Andhra Pradesh has been found from Nagarjunakonda, Utanur, Palvoy and Sanganpalli.
Tamil Nadu - Evidence of Neolithic age has been found from Payyampalli in Tamil Nadu.
Neolithic ash mounds have been found at Piklihal in Karnataka. Possibly there was a settlement of cattle rearers. Here the cattle were kept in an enclosure. Cattle dung was collected on one side which was then set on fire.
Many such graves have been found in Adichchanalur village of Kollam district of Kerala in which the bones of human corpses were buried in receptacles.
The people of the Neolithic age used tools made of stone, so they made their residence around the hills. Neolithic tools have also been found from the Garo hills of Assam and Meghalaya.
The actual beginning of making pottery with chalk dates back to the Neolithic age. When man started farming, he felt the need of these utensils to store grains. In the beginning, hand made pots have been found, but later potters used chalk to make pottery. These vessels include polished black pots, gray pots and soft square pots.
By the Mesolithic period, humans had become fully developed like today's humans. Now humans were not primitive humans like the humans of the Paleolithic period. He had developed understanding and understanding. With new inventions, new discoveries made human life progressive. The Neolithic Age is considered to be the last stage of the Stone Age, because after this the Stone Age was completely over.
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