The Palaeolithic period is also known as the Old Stone Age. It is the earliest phase of human prehistory. This period is characterized by stone tools. In India, many Palaeolithic sites have been discovered, providing valuable insights into the lives of early humans. These sites are typically categorized into three phases. The phases are Lower, Middle, and Upper Palaeolithic. The classification is based on the types of tools and technological advancements.
Key Palaeolithic Sites in India:
1. Lower Palaeolithic Sites (c. 2.6 million years ago – 300,000 years ago)
- Soan Valley (Punjab and Pakistan): One of the most significant Lower Palaeolithic sites, known for its pebble tools and choppers.
- Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh): Famous for its rock shelters and early stone tools, Bhimbetka also has evidence of continuous human habitation from the Palaeolithic to historical periods.
- Attirampakkam (Tamil Nadu): This site has yielded some of the oldest stone tools in India, dating back to around 1.5 million years ago.
- Hunsgi and Baichbal Valleys (Karnataka): These sites have provided evidence of Acheulian tools, including hand axes and cleavers.
2. Middle Palaeolithic Sites (c. 300,000 – 30,000 years ago)
- Nevasa (Maharashtra): Known for its flake tools, which are smaller and more refined than the earlier Acheulian tools.
- Didwana (Rajasthan): This site has revealed various Middle Palaeolithic tools, including scrapers and points.
- Patne (Maharashtra): Evidence of Middle Palaeolithic tools and the transition to the Upper Palaeolithic period.
- Luni Valley (Rajasthan): Another important site with a rich collection of Middle Palaeolithic tools.
3. Upper Palaeolithic Sites (c. 40,000 – 10,000 years ago)
- Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh): Continued occupation into the Upper Palaeolithic period, with more advanced tools and evidence of early art.
- Kurnool Caves (Andhra Pradesh): These caves have yielded various Upper Palaeolithic tools, including blades and burins.
- Renigunta (Andhra Pradesh): Known for its blade tools and evidence of early human habitation.
- Baghor (Madhya Pradesh): This site has provided evidence of Upper Palaeolithic tools and early symbolic behavior.
Characteristics of Palaeolithic Tools:
- Lower Palaeolithic: Primarily large, crude tools like hand axes, cleavers, and choppers made from pebbles and cores.
- Middle Palaeolithic: Smaller, more refined tools such as scrapers, points, and borers, often made from flakes.
- Upper Palaeolithic: Even more sophisticated tools, including blades, burins, and microliths, indicating advancements in tool-making technology.
Significance of Palaeolithic Sites in India:
- Cultural Evolution: These sites provide a timeline of human technological and cultural development.
- Migration Patterns: Evidence from these sites helps trace the migration of early humans into and across the Indian subcontinent.
The study of Palaeolithic sites in India remains a rich field of research. It sheds light on the origins and development of early human societies.