Ancient India Simplified: Prehistoric Era

The Prehistoric Era is divided into three phases or ages: Paleolithic; Mesolithic and Neolithic period.

The Three stone ages (Lithic ages) are known as pre-historic period and as the name suggests there is no written evidence found. But, sources such as Cave Art, Hand-made tools serve as sources for the study of that period.

1. The Palaeolithic or the Early Stone Age (2,50,000 B.C to 10,000 B.C)

2. The Mesolithic or the Middle Stone Age and (10,000 B.C to 4000 B.C)

3. The Neolithic or the Lower Stone Age (Began around 4000 B.C)

The Palaeolithic or the Early Stone Age (2,50,000 B.C to 10,000 B.C)

1. Lower Palaeolithic Age (250000 B.C to 100000 B.C)
   1. Robert Brute Foote discovered the first palaeolithic stone tool in 1863 in Chennai. 
   2. The characteristic feature of lower palaeolithic culture is the use of Chopper-Chopping tools, cleaver and hand axes.  Evidence of such tools has been found from Sohan Valley of Punjab region. 
   3. Learned to control fire for roasting meat and warding off animals.
   4. Hunting and food gathering
   5. Lower Palaeolithic man was more or less of the status of Australopithecus Africanus– a semi erect ape like creature. 
   6. The tools of the Lower Palaeolithic age were made of Quartzite rock. Also few glossy rocs of Jasper, flint and Chalcedony were used. 
   7. Important Sites include: Didwana, Bhimbetka and Nagarjunkonda.
2. The Middle Palaeolithic Age (100000 B.C to 40000 B.C)
   1. The middle Palaeolithic culture was dominated by Neanderthal Man. Man was still in the stage of Homo Erectus.
   2. Language was invented in this period.
   3. Remained hunters and food gatherers.
   4. Bhimbetka rock shelters (MP)  and caves of Vindhyas and Belan Valley in UP are best examples of Cave Dwellings. 
   5. The tools were mounted on flakes and blades; hence the phase is known as ‘Flake Culture’.
3. The Upper Palaeolithic age (40000 B.C to 10000 B.C) 
   1. The Upper Palaeolithic culture is marked by the presence of Homo Sapiens (Modern Man) and the appearance of new flint industries. Here, the tools are mainly based on blades and a wide range of bone tools were also made. 
   2. Even more refined and light tools.
   3. The sudden and widespread appearance of figurines and other artefacts reflecting art and rituals is another important feature of this age. 

The Mesolithic or the Middle Stone Age and (10,000 B.C to 4000 B.C)

1. Came with the end of the Ice Age around 10000 B.C and continued till 4000 B.C
2. Microlith tools i.e. tools made of micro-sized stones and were very refined.
3. Haematites with having been rubbed and Spherical stone balls are the notable features of this age. 
4. Mesolithic people achieved special adaptation and settled in artificially erected structures as early as 8000 B.C
5. The economy was based on hunting, fishing and food gathering. 
6. First people used bow and arrow and this made hunting big animals easier. 
7. The first evidence of burial was from the Mesolithic Age. (Found in Bhimbetka in MP, Bagor in Rajasthan and Langhnaj in Gujarat)
8. Important sites include Azamgarh in MP, Bhimbetka in MP, Bhagalpur and Rajgir in Bihar and Palamau in Jharkhand.

The Neolithic or the Lower Stone Age (Began around 4000 B.C)

1. Nomadic life in search of food came to end as he no longer remained a hunter and attained self sufficiency. 
2. Man learnt the art of cultivation and became a food producer and also started domestication of animals. This resulted in organised community or a settled social life. 
3. Sharper, symmetrical and polished stone tools for not only hunting but agriculture also. The Neolithic Age is marked by the grinding and polishing of stones. 
4. They lived in circular or rectangular houses made of mud.Ex: Belan Valley UP. 
5. The people also lived in pit dwellings. Ex: Burzahom, Kashmir.
6. Made handmade pots with designs. Ex: Kochar Hills of Assam
7. Important sites are Mehrgarh (Balochistan), Burzahom (Kashmir), Chirand(Bihar), Brahmagiri(Maharashtra), Daojali Hading (Assam), Koldihwa(UP) and Maski (Karnataka) etc.

Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Megalithic Sites in India