Stone age in india part 2

Upper Paleolithic Phase (0) This phase was between 40,000 BC to 10,000 BC (ii) In this age the climate became comparatively warm

This phase is marked by the appearance of new flint industries and of men of the modem type (Homo Sapiens) Blades and burins have been found in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Central Madhya Pradesh, Southern Uttar Pradesh, South Bihar. Caves and rock - Shelters in upper Palaeolithic phase have been discovered at Bhimbetka, near

Bhopal. Mesolithic Age (0 in 9000 BC begin an intermediate stage in stone age culture, which is called the

Mesolithic age which lasted till 4000 BC. This phase intervened as a transitional phase between the Paleolithic age and the Neolithic or New Stone Age. Climate change around 9000 BC brought about changes in fauna and flora and made it possible for human beings to move to new areas. Since then there have

not been any major changes in climatic conditions. . (II) The characteristic tools of the Mesolithic age are Microliths (iv) The Mesolithic people lived on hunting, fishing and food gathering; at a later stage

they also domesticated animals. The Mesolithic sites are found in good numbers in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Central and eastern India and also south of river Krishna, Adamgarh in Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Rajasthan provide the earliest evidence for the domestication of animals around 5000 BC. The cultivation of plants was possibly

around 7000-6000 BC. (vi) Rock paintings from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic ages have been found from

Bhimbetka, about 45 km south of Bhopal. Many birds, animals and human beings

are painted. Neolithic Age (1) The Neolithic age dating between 5000 BC to 1800 BC is characterised by the

cultivation of plants and domestication of animals. (1) The development of agriculture and cultivation of cereals transformed the

nomadic hunters into sedentary farmers. This led to the beginning of village settlements, manufacture of new types of tools and greater control over nature for exploitation of natural resources. Neolithic tools such as ground stone tools, celts, adzes, chisels, axes, saws and bufins have been found across India.

VAJIRAM & RAVI domestication of animals. The third phase (around 1500 BC) is characterised by grey ware though red ware of second phase continued. Excavations yield evidence of practice of agriculture - food gathering and hunting losing relevance. Neolithic tools of various types too have been discovered. Communal life of early agriculturists in this region is characterised by dwelling pits, cultivation of millet,

wheat, moong, domestication of cattle such as cattle, Sheep, goat, buffalo, etc. Chalcolithic Cultures: The Neolithic age is followed by the Chalcolithic or stone-copper age, which generally occurred from 1800 - 1000 BC. This period was marked by the use of copper (the first metal used in India) as well as stone. They extend geugraphically from the Banas and Berach basins northeast of Udaipur through Malwa and into Western Maharashtra upto the Bhima Valley Economy (1) Economic base of these cultures was associated with agriculture and cattle

rearing. This was supplemented by wild game and fishery as well as attested by archaeological evidences. Excavations at various sites reveal cultivation of a variety of crops. Barley was

the main crop besides wheat, rice, gram, pea, bajra, jowar etc. (Hill) Archaeological evidence form Inamgaon establish the knowledge if the

inhabitants about crop rotation, harvesting and irrigation.

Certain references of use of ploughshare are also present (V) Excavations have shown that the people domesticated animals like goat, sheep,

dog, horse etc. Besides certain references are there about wild animals like

various types of dear, buffalo, rhino. (vi) Excavations of certain sites have also yielded bones of fish, turtle etc. This

shows that people consumed all these. Pattern of Settlement (0) Excavations of various sites suggest that distribution pattern was characterised by

regional centers and village settlements. This is suggestive of existence of some kind of hierarchical system. Excavations also reveal various structures like fortification, granaries, embankments

as are seen at Eran of Malwa culture and at Inamgaon of Jorwe culture. (Ill) The distinctive house pattern in various sites is rectangular and circular. (iv) Walls made-up of mud and thatched roof too being characteristic feature of the

houses in most of the sites. (V) So far as the size of the houses is concerned it varied from place to place.