Paleolithic Age: UGC NET History Study Notes (Part 1)
These UGC NET History notes provide comprehensive, expert-led guidance tailored for effective exam preparation. Each module ensures structured and in-depth coverage of the latest syllabus to help you master every essential topic.
Palaeolithic Age Part -1
Ancient Indian history chronicles the evolution of the Indian subcontinent from the prehistoric age through the early medieval period. This study provides critical insights into the development of early human societies, cultural shifts, and governance. Key areas of focus include the Stone Age cultures, the Harappan Civilisation, the Vedic Age, the rise of powerful Mahajanapadas, the spread of Buddhism and Jainism, and the imperial rule of the Mauryas and Guptas. Explore detailed academic insights in the articles below.
Ancient Indian History is broadly divided into three periods: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Period | Key Features | Also Known As |
| Prehistoric Period | No written records; life known through tools, fossils, and cave paintings | Stone Age |
| Proto-Historic Period | Written records found but not yet deciphered | Post-Historic Period |
| Historic Period | Written records found and deciphered; detailed historical information available | Recorded History |
Pre-Historic Period
The prehistoric period, primarily defined as the Stone Age, represents an era preceding the existence of written records. Our understanding of this epoch is derived exclusively from archaeological evidence, particularly the typology and functional analysis of stone tools and weapons. These lithic technologies serve as the primary markers for classifying the various phases of this era.
| Prehistoric Age | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Palaeolithic Age | Mesolithic Age | Neolithic Age |
| Time Period | 5,00,000- 10,000 | 10,000- 6,000 BCE | 6,000- 1000 BCE |
| Other Name | Old Stone Age | Middle Stone Age | New Stone Age |
| Type | Lower Palaeolithic Middle Palaeolithic Upper Palaeolithic |
_ | _ |
An Overview of the Palaeolithic Age in Prehistoric India
- The term “Palaeolithic” refers to the Old Stone Age of the Prehistoric Period. It derives from the Greek words “palaeos”, which means “old”, and “lithos”, which means “stone”.
- In 1863, John Lubbock coined the term Palaeolithic to denote the Old Stone Age.
- It is dated roughly 30,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE.
- Edward Lartet has divided the Palaeolithic Age into three parts, i.e., Lower, Middle and Upper Palaeolithic Period, depending on the technology of tools used.
Types of the Palaeolithic Age
| Age | Lower Palaeolithic | Middle Palaeolithic | Upper Palaeolithic |
| Time Span | 5,00,000 -1,00,000 BCE | 1,00,000 years -50,000 BCE | 40,000 – 10,000 BCE |
| Era | Pleistocene Era | Pleistocene Era | Holocene Era (i.e., climate became warmer) |
| Position in the Stone Age | The earliest and longest phase | Middle Phase of the Palaeolithic age | Late phase of the Palaeolithic Period |
| Tool Industries | Oldowan and Acheulean tool industry | Nevasian Flake Tool Industry ( named by HD Sankalia) | Bone, ivory, flint/stone blades and antler. |
| Food Source | Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers lived in a Band Society | Nomadic Hunters and Gatherers lived in a Band Society | Nomadic Hunters and Gatherers lived in a Band Society |
| Tools Used | Hand axes, cleavers, knives, choppers | Flake Tools such as scrapers, pointers and borers | Blade and Burin Technique |
| Early Humans | Homo habilis, Homo erectus | Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) | Homo sapiens (Modern Human) |
| Tool Technique | _ | Levalloisian technique | Blades and Burins Technique |
| Key Feature | First use of stone tools | Transition towards modern human behaviour and Flake industry | Bhimbetka Paintings |
| Important Sites |
|
|
|
PYQs
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding key sites of the Palaeolithic Period:
- Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)
- Pallavaram valley(Tamil Nadu)
- Belan Valley (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh)
- Munger & Rajgir(Bihar)
Which of the statements provided above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 Only
(b) 2 and 3 Only
(c) 3 and 4 Only
(d) All of the above
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the characteristics of the Palaeolithic Age:
- It was the oldest phase of prehistory.
- Chopper, Handaxe, and Cleaver are some of the tools in vogue during the age.
Which of the statements provided above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Palaeolithic Period:
- It is a period in human prehistory distinguished by the original development of stone tools.
- The economy of a typical Palaeolithic society was a hunter-gatherer economy.
Which of the statements provided above is/are not correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q4. With reference to the Indian Palaeolithic period, examine the following statements:
- It is also referred to as the Ice Age.
- People of this period lived in pit dwellings and cultivated crops. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q5. Which of the following archaeological sites is famous for Upper Palaeolithic cave paintings in India?
- Hallur
- Bhimbetka
- Mehrgarh
- Chirand