8. Stages of human development and Paleolithic Age

Historians, Anthropologists, and archeologists proposed many stages of human development.

Human Development and Its stages

Although these theories are not generally accepted, Lewis H. Morgan proposed a seven-stage model of human development, S. Wilson proposed four stages, and Edward Taylor proposed a three-stage framework.
The Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age are the three distinct ages that P.F. Suhm and Thomsen identified in human development.
The foundation of methodical prehistoric research was laid by J. Lubbock’s well-known book, “Pre-historic Times.”
Lubbock also distinguished between the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic) and the New Stone Age (Neolithic) in prehistory; the idea of a Middle Stone Age developed later.
The Lower Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic, and Upper Paleolithic are the three layers into which Lartet divided the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic).
Discussions about the prehistoric past frequently concentrate on the Hunter-Gatherer societies, which are the earliest human societies.

The following major sources provide the majority of our knowledge about the earliest human societies, particularly the Hunter-Gatherers of the Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic) and Old Stone Age (Paleolithic):

Implements: These prehistoric individuals employed implements made of bone, wood, and stone. Stone tools are the materials that have withstood the test of time the best.
Faunal Studies: Analyzing animal remains offers vital information about the habits and way of life of prehistoric human populations.
Rock Carvings: These ancient communities’ cultural and symbolic practices can be understood through an examination of the artwork and rock carvings they left behind.
Fissile and Architectural Evidence: We can reconstruct these early humans’ living environments by using fragments and remnants of structures, as well as evidence of architectural design.
Anthropological Theories: Research and theories in anthropology help us comprehend the behavioral, cultural, and social aspects of these prehistoric societies.

Paleolithic Age

Paleolithic Period or Old Stone Age; the earliest period of human
development. It is related to the Pleistocene period. The period extends from 2 million
years ago to 12000 years ago.

Features of the Paleolithic Age

Use of rough stone tools.
Use of Quartzite for making tools.
Use of Fire.
Ostrich egg shells found.
Subsistence pattern: Hunting and gathering.

Based on tools the Paleolithic culture is divided into three stages: the Lower Paleolithic phase, the Middle Paleolithic phase, and the Upper Paleolithic phase.

Lower Paleolithic tools

as there were many stone tools in the river valleys nearby, the people chose to live close to the water source. This period saw the creation of the first stone tools, including the oldest ones still in use today. The term “Oldowan tradition” refers to a pattern of stone tool production by Hominids (Homo habilis).

The earliest tools are thought to be shattered stones known as eoliths. Large and small scrapers, hammer stones, choppers, awls, and other materials were used to make these tools. These prehistoric hunters and gatherers typically used hand axes and cleavers as tools. The most common tools used in the Lower Paleolithic period were hand axes, pebble tools, choppers, and cleavers. The primary functions of these implements were to cut, dig, and skin the prey.

Pallavaram (Tamil Nadu). These hand axes resemble Acheulean hand axes. These tools were
found in the Belan Valley of Mirzapur (U.P.), Didwana in Rajasthan, Narmada Valley, and
Bhimbetka (near Bhopal, M.P.).

The Middle Paleolithic tools

This era’s tools were primarily made of flakes, which were utilized to create scrapers, points, bores, and other tools. During this time, there is also a noticeable crude pebble industry. This era’s stone tools are from the flake tradition.

For instance, sewed furs and skins that were used as body coverings using needles. Flake tools are formed by exerting force to achieve a desired shape.
An advanced method for creating tools with flake.
Flaking tool techniques employ Levallois techniques.

Upper Paleolithic tools

The most common tools of this era were burins, scrapers, and large flake blades. This man’s way of life was identical to that of Neanderthals and Homo erectus, and the tools he used were still primitive in nature from when he first lived. Additionally, the use of mortars and pestles for grinding grain as well as polished, fine cutting-edge tools emerged.
tools with blades, burins, scrappers, and more pointed or sharp edges.

Subsistence Pattern of Paleolithic Age

Our understanding of their patterns of subsistence is restricted.
Mainly involved in gathering and hunting.
Their lives were characterized by incessant and unrelenting struggles.
They did not cultivate; instead, they aimed to exploit plant and animal resources.
utilized resources from both the flora and fauna.
Hominins lived in small groups known as bands throughout the Paleolithic Era. They did this by fishing, hunting, and scavenging wild animals.
Marked by the employment of bone and wood tools in addition to knapped stone tools.
lived in caves formed by nature, shelters made of rock, and shelters made of grass.
They used leaves from trees instead of knowing how to use cloth.
Living in small groups for mutual protection, they were known as “Band societies.”

Paleolithic Sites

Paleolithic Sites in Rajasthan

Luni Valley: The location is in Jaisalmer, Western Rajasthan. For lower Paleolithic tools, the location is well-known. West of the Aravallis, the middle Palaeolithic assemblage is referred to as the “Luni Industry.” Larger numbers of reworked flakes and a greater variety of stone tool types have been discovered here.

Didwana: This location is in Rajasthan, close to Nagaur. The primary focus of Didwana is on lower and middle Paleolithic tools. Acheulian tools have made Didwana famous. It’s known as Olduvai Gorge, Didwana.
Olduvai Gorge A paleoanthropological site called Olduvai Gorge, also known as Oldupai Gorge, is located in East Africa’s eastern Serengeti Plain, close to northern Tanzania. The gorge is known as the “Cradle of Mankind” because it is thought to contain the remains of the earliest humans to set foot on the planet.
Many more sites were soon found between Jayal and Didwana. The dates for the Middle Palaeolithic at Didwana, which span 200,000 years, were even more intriguing.

Mogara Hills: These hills, which are close to Jodhpur, were once used as a factory.
Here, several kinds of tools were developed. The Lower and Middle Paleolithic tool sequence was discovered during excavations at Adamgarh Hills.

Paleolithic Sites in Goa

Dudhsagar: The site is situated in Goa on the bank of the Mandori River. This is a
Paleolithic site.

Paleolithic Sites in Kerala

Palakkad (Palghat): This stunning district in Kerala is well-known for the yearly Ratholsavam celebration, the Jain temple, and the Palakkad Fort. The primary product of this region is choppers.

Paleolithic Sites in Andhra Pradesh

Kurnool : This area is well known for its Upper Paleolithic artifacts, with its bone tools being especially noteworthy. In the Kurnool region, ash mounds have also been found. About eighteen kilometers from Kurnool are the Paleolithic-era rock paintings known as Ketavaram. There are also notable rock paintings and art in the Jurreru Valley, Yaganti in Kurnool District, and Katavani Kunta nearby. These paintings and art may be from 35,000 to 40,000 years ago.

The Ketavaram rock paintings from the Paleolithic era are 18 kilometers from
Kurnool. Also, the Jurreru Valley, Katavani Kunta, and Yaganti in Kurnool District
have some important rock art and paintings in the vicinity, which may be dated
from 35,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Renugunta, located in Chittor, hosts a rich archaeological record featuring significant
traces of Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic as well as Mesolithic cultures. These
cultures have left behind lithic artifacts found in primary to semi-primary
settlements and secondary deposits within gravel beds or channel-fill locations.
Renugunta has gained recognition for its upper Paleolithic tool assemblages.

Paleolithic Sites in Oddisa

The districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, and Sambalpur contain three noteworthy sites where Acheulian tools from the Lower Paleolithic period have been found. In addition, there are Upper Paleolithic rock paintings and carvings in the Gudahandi hills in the Kalahandi district.
Flake tools are well-known from Dari Dungari, where the Levallois technique was employed in their manufacture.

Paleolithic Sites in Bengal

Birbhum, Burdhman, and Bankura are the most important sites in Bengal. These are
Paleolithic sites. They contain most of the traits related to the Paleolithic age.

Paleolithic Sites in Manipur

Ukhrul: Located in Manipur, India, the Ukhrul Paleolithic site has produced important archeological evidence from the Lower Paleolithic period. The discovery of bone tools and stone tools like cleavers and handaxes during excavations has led to a better understanding of prehistoric life in the area and provided insights into early human activities like tool-making and habitation patterns.

Paleolithic Sites in North-East

The Garo Hills, Meghalaya, has yielded the largest number of stone tools with Palaeolithic
characteristics, but without a well-understood chrono-stratigraphic context.

Paleolithic Sites in Jharkhand

Important sites in Singhbhum, Ranchi, Hajaribagh, and Palamau exhibit most of the
common features of Paleolithic sites without any special traits.

Paleolithic Sites in Tamil Nadu

Athirampakkam : Located 60 kilometers from Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India, Athirampakkam is well-known for its prehistoric Paleolithic history. It is noteworthy because it was here that India’s oldest stone tools were discovered, making it the model site for the Madrasian culture, which is best known for its handaxe tools. In addition, Athirampakkam has a rich cultural sequence that includes elements from the middle, upper, and lower Paleolithic eras.

Pallavaram, formerly called Pallava Puram, is a Tamil Nadu, India, neighborhood that is a part of the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Because of the numerous stone tools that Robert Bruce Foote found here, this area is important historically.

Odai, situated in the Amaravati River basin in Tamil Nadu, India, holds a treasure
trove of archaeological evidence, with P. Rajendra being instrumental in uncovering
many of these findings. Notably, in 2001, an intact baby skull was discovered in
Odai, adding to its archaeological importance.

Paleolithic Sites in Maharashtra

There are important archaeological sites with an emphasis on industrial activity in the Ahmednagar district, more especially in the Nevasa area. These locations are classified as ancient industrial centers.

Notably, a sizable collection of Palaeolithic tools has been found in the vicinity of Chirki, which is close to Nevasa in Maharashtra.

Handaxes, choppers, cleavers, scrapers, and borers are among the artifacts that have been discovered; these items provide insight into the technological and cultural characteristics of the area’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Paleolithic Sites in Karnataka

There are numerous significant archaeological sites dispersed throughout the state of Karnataka. Notable locations include the Ghatprabha Valley in Bagalkot, the Lingsgur in Raichur, Raichur, Bagalkote, and Kibanhalli in Tumkur district. These sites have produced important discoveries that deepen our knowledge of the historical and cultural legacy of the area.

Furthermore, Hunsagi and Isampur in the Gulbarga district are well-known for their connections to the tool industry.

These locations have become well-known for their historical significance in the manufacture of tools, providing information about the technological prowess of the prehistoric occupants.

Paleolithic Sites in Uttar Pradesh

The Belan Valley, which is close to Prayagraj, and Chopani Mando are two Uttar Pradesh archaeological sites that have produced artifacts from Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Palaeolithic cultures. The Belan Valley, which is near Prayagraj, is notable for being the location of the first rice cultivation discoveries.

The Belan Valley, which is next to the Belan River, includes places like Koldihwa and Chopani Manda. The objects discovered here date from 50,000 to 80,000 years ago, and they originate from the Lower and Middle Stone Ages. The Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene stratigraphic sequence of sedimentary deposits was uncovered by archaeologist G.R. Sharma of Allahabad University’s research. This region is recognized as one of India’s most vital archaeological sites, featuring ancient fossils of deer and cattle, as well as tools crafted from basalt, quartz, and chert

Chopani Mando is a historically significant prehistoric archaeological site in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh. It provides a distinctive depiction of the transitional stages between the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Paleolithic eras and sheds light on the traits of each of these time periods.

Paleolithic Sites in Bihar:-

Paleolithic sites have been identified in various regions, including Munger, Paisra, and
Nalanda in Bihar.

Paleolithic Sites in Madhya Pradesh:-

Hoshangabad, Sehore (Hathnora), and Sidhi (Baghor) in Madhya Pradesh.

Paleolithic Sites in Haryana:-

Paleolithic sites are present in Haryana, particularly in Panchkula.

Paleolithic Sites in Potwar Plateau and Sindh(Pakistan):-

Rohini Hills, Milestone 101, and Las Bela in Sindh, each with their unique historical
and geological importance.

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