Pre-History of Humans in India
Pre-History is almost the same in every other civilization or Country.
When we talk about Pre-History, we are talking about the origin of Homo Sapiens from their ancestors. Human Beings appeared in the middle of the Pleistocene Epoch.
We became Homo sapiens sapiens in the middle of the Holocene Period. Early humans were dependent on animals for their survival.
They used stone tools for hunting animals, and with time they have started making sharp stone tools, which increases the efficiency of their hunting.
How can we know their existence?
The pre-history of the early humans can only be traced from their stone tools, artifacts used by them, and their rock engravings.
On the basis of stone tools, the early history of humans can be divided into three phases:
1. Paleolithic phase (500,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE):
It can be further divided into 3 categories:
- Lower Paleolithic Phase (500,000 BCE to 100,000 BCE):
They used big, rough, and irregular-shaped tools. The main tools of this period were Hand axes, cleavers, and Choppers. - Middle Paleolithic (100,000 BCE to 40,000 BCE):
They used close to rectangle-sized stone tools. The Characteristic tool of this period was Borer and Blades. - Upper Paleolithic (40,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE):
Triangular and sharp tools were created. Characteristic tools were Blades and Points.
Paleolithic sites in India are found from:
- Bhimbetka (MP)
- Sohan Valley (Pakistan)
- Belan Valley (UP)
- Narmada Valley (MP)
- Kurnool (AP)
- Brahmagir (KN)
2. Mesolithic Phase:
If you guys know a little about the Ice Age, then you must know that till 10,000 BCE, the earth was very shivery. The Earth starts to warm, which is a more favorable climate for us warm-blooded animals.
This led the humans to start their most desired thing, to explore different places and things.
This place also witnessed the domestication of animals. In India, pieces of evidence have been found from Adamgarh (MP).
The Stone tools used by them are called Microlith, which was small and sharp and was kind of easy to use because of its less weight. (not for you guys)
In this phase, people just didn’t only kill animals to feed themselves, but they also use their blood in doing rock-engraving or Mesolithic painting, or Petroglyph.
Mesolithic Paintings:
- It provides very important insight into the socio-cultural practices of the Mesolithic Community.
- They used naturally obtained colors like green, yellow, brown, etc.
- The red color was also sourced from animal blood.
- They created with a variety of themes which are as follows:
1. Domestication of Animals: Hunting and Gathering and Animal Riding.
2. Community Sense: Group Dance and Celebration.
3. Division of Labor: Household Chores and Fighting.
4. Primitive Marriage: Sexual Union.
5. Phallus Worship: Sexual organ of Male.
6. Yoni Worship: Sexual Organ of Female.
3. Neolithic Phase:
As the climate starts to warm, the population of Human Beings started to increase.
The stone tools found in this phase were not only small and sharp but became also polished, which make the tools more efficient.
There were also instances of using bone implements and the use of arrows and bows.
The most important thing which happened in this phase was the start of Agricultural Practices. Yes, the backbone of humans has started its phase from here.
The first evidence of Agricultural practices has been found in the Balochistan area of Pakistan, which is known as Mehrgarh.
Human beings started creating wheels and wheels on the other hand helped in the making the pottery.
They also mastered the art of controlled use of fire, which on the other hand helped in the art of making cooked food.
Neolithic Sites in India:
- Gurfkral (Pak)
- Buzham (Kashmir)
- Sarai Nahraya (UP)
- Chirand (Bihar)
Neolithic Phase to Indus Valley Civilization:
Every Civilization needs a chronology in order to become a civilization.
In the Neolithic phase, the Agriculture practices have started to prosper which led to a surplus of it.
With surplus food, the population of humans started to grow more. With more humans, it started the culture of trading goods with each other.
The concept of money and other things started to come to the surface, and small village-type places started to become trade centers.
Trade Center consists of :
- Urban Culture
- Storage
- Houses
- Administrative Setup
- Utility Services
This whole chronology was enough to begin the most advanced ancient civilization in the history of Mankind:
THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION.
