The Stone Age is divided into three major phases based on advancements in tools, technology, and human behavior: the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods. Each phase is distinct, with its own developments that shaped the way early humans lived.
Types of Stone Age
The Stone Age is traditionally categorized into three main periods, each marked by distinct technological advancements in tools, hunting practices, shelter, and culture.
These periods are classified based on the development of stone tools and how early humans adapted to changing environments. Let’s take a look at each type:
1. Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
The Palaeolithic Age lasted from 2.5 million years ago to around 12,000 years ago, marking the beginning of stone tool use. The tools were primarily unpolished and made of stone, bone, and wood.
Key Features:
- Shelter: Caves or open-air shelters
- Hunting and Gathering: Focus on hunting wild animals and gathering food
- Tools: Unpolished hand axes, choppers, cleavers, and bone tools
Subdivisions:
| Phase | Time Period | Key Characteristics | Major Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Palaeolithic | 2.5 million to 300,000 years ago | Rough and heavy tools (e.g., hand axes, cleavers); Advent of basic communication | Didwana (Rajasthan), Bhimbetka (M.P.), Belan Valley (UP) |
| Middle Palaeolithic | 300,000 to 30,000 years ago | Smaller, thinner tools (e.g., blades, scrapers); Discovery of fire for cooking | Luni Valley (Rajasthan), Potwar Plateau (Pakistan), Bhimbetka (M.P.) |
| Upper Palaeolithic | 30,000 to 12,000 years ago | Sophisticated bone tools, art (wall paintings), and emergence of spoken language | Bhimbetka, Belan, Chota Nagpur Plateau (Bihar) |
2. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)
The Mesolithic Age marked the transition between the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and the beginnings of agricultural practices. This period lasted from the end of the last Ice Age to the beginning of agriculture.
Key Features:
- Tools: Microliths (small, geometric tools) made from materials like chert and obsidian
- Food: Fishing and hunting small animals; Early domestication of dogs
- Shelter: Semi-permanent homes like caves or simple huts
- Art: Cave paintings and pottery
Major Sites:
| Site | Location | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Adamgarh | Madhya Pradesh | Early domestication of animals |
| Bagor | Rajasthan | Early domestication of animals |
| Bhimbetka Caves | Madhya Pradesh | Evidence of cave paintings |
3. Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
The Neolithic Age, which lasted from 12,000 to 6,500 years ago, saw the rise of agriculture and permanent settlements. It marked a profound shift in human culture and behavior.
Key Features:
- Tools: Polished stone tools; Bone tools like needles and scrapers
- Agriculture: Introduction of crop cultivation and animal domestication (e.g., goats, sheep, cattle)
- Settlements: Permanent homes, with evidence of rectangular or circular houses
- Art: More varied and complex cave paintings
Read more about History….
Major Sites:
| Site | Location | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Koldihwa and Mahagara | South of Allahabad | Evidence of rice cultivation |
| Mehrgarh | Balochistan | Early cotton and wheat farming; Sun-dried brick houses |
| Burzahom | Kashmir | Pit dwellings; Domesticated dogs |
| Chirand | North of Patna | Continuous settlement from Neolithic to Iron Age |
This table presents a clear timeline of the Stone Age phases, their major developments, and key archaeological sites. Each period shows how early humans evolved in terms of their tools, food sources, and settlements, laying the foundation for modern civilization.
