Palaeolithic age
Cave paintings drawn by palaeolithic man around
ten thousand years back were discovered. These cave paintings gives a lot of
information about palaeolithic man. Different colours were used in the cave
paintings. The colours were made from mixtures of plant extracts and powdered laterite.
In addition to the figures of bison and boar that you see in the given
pictures, the figures of horse, deer, lion, leopard, bear, hyena, etc. can also
be seen in different caves. Animal fat was used as fuel for lighting in the
caves where sunlight was insufficient. The pictures of hunting are the evidence
for their planning of the hunting ground and the prey. Pictures were drawn on
the ceilings of the caves as well. This stands in evidence for the dexterity of
early humans.
Residue of cooked food, ashes, bones and skulls of
animals, leftovers of fruits, vegetables, and freshwater fishes, etc. were also
discovered from the caves.
The Palaeolithic humans hunted collectively. The
stronger among them led the group. There was no gender difference in hunting.
They ate the flesh of hunted animals and carcasses. For hunting, they mainly
used weapons made of stones. They also used bones of animals, ivory, pieces of
wood, etc. as weapons. Hide and bark were used as clothes. The bones of animals
were used as needles for sewing.
The fields in which the Palaeolithic man attained
progress are listed below. Find out examples for each from the unit.
Mesolithic age
Features of Mesolithic age
Began settled life.
Used small stone tools with sharp
points.
Hunting became extensive.
People ate edible grass, dolphin,
otter, whale, fishes etc.
Bows and arrows were used for
hunting.
Hunted animals from afar.
Domesticated dogs.
Exchanged food, tools, ornaments
etc.
Logs were tied together and used
for navigation.
Some Mesolithic
sites in India.
Bagor – Rajasthan
Adamgarh – Madhya Pradesh
An animal which became extinct due to the extensive hunting during Mesolithic age – Mammoth
Neolithic age
In the period subsequent to the Mesolithic Age,
man began to use polished stone tools. This period is called the Neolithic Age.
The beginning of cultivation was the major progress in this period that dates
around eight thousand years back. The change from food gathering to food
production is a landmark in the history of human life. Environmental changes,
scarcity of food, population growth, etc. are pointed out as the major reasons
that led to cultivation. Man began to cultivate and settle down in the river
valleys.
In the Neolithic Age, human beings began to rear
animals for food. They began a settled life for the purpose of cultivation and
domestication of animals. Wheat, barley, jute, different kinds of tubers,
paddy, plantain, etc. were the major crops of that age.
A Neolithic site in Kerala – Edakkal caves in Wayanad district.
? Which feature of Neolithic age led to a collective
life?
The development of cultivation and permanent
settlement led to a collective life during Neolithic age.
? Who called the changes during Neolithic age as
Neolithic revolution?
Gordon Childe
Site an example for the technological progress
attained by Neolithic man.
The lake villages in Switzerland are an example
for the technological progress attained by the Neolithic man. These dwellings
in the lake were constructed using logs, animal skin, and mud.
Jarmo in northern Iraq is an important site that
provides evidence for life in the Neolithic age. Write the features of this
site.
Jarmo in northern Iraq is an important site that
provides evidence for life in the Neolithic Age. The ruins of several mud huts
have been discovered here. These huts had stone foundations, sun-dried brick
walls, and sun-dried mud roofs. The people of Jarmo engaged in agriculture.
They stored food grains and exchanged the same.
Chalcolithic Age
The Chalcolithic Age was a transition period from
the Stone Age to the Metal Age. In addition to the stone tools, the people of
this period made copper tools as well.
Catalhoyuk
in Turkey is a major site from where evidence for human life in the Neolithic
and the Chalcolithic Ages have been discovered. Ancient forms of urban
settlement existed in this site. The major remnants discovered here are the
ruins of dwellings. The huts were built using mud-bricks. The residues of wheat
and barley have been discovered here. Pictures were drawn on the walls of huts.
Mehrgarh in Baluchistan is a major Chalcolithic
site in the Indian subcontinent. Wheat and barley were cultivated there. Houses
with ovens were built of mud-bricks. The evidence for the use of the potter's
wheel has also been discovered from here.
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