Moving Forward from the Stone Age

UNIT-1 MOVING FORWARD FROM THE STONE AGE

Primitive Tools Used for Self-Defense

• Types of Tools:
  • Stone axe
  • Stone spear

Purposes of Primitive Tools

• Protection:
  • Used for self-defense against wild animals.
• Hunting:
  • Employed to hunt for food.
• Artistic Expression:
  • Utilized for drawing cave pictures.
• Craftsmanship:
  • Made stone ornaments, statues, etc.

Stages of Human Tool Use

Flow Chart of Archaeological Divisions:

1. Palaeolithic Age
2. Mesolithic Age
3. Neolithic Age

Method of Tool Creation Stages:

1. Utilisation:
   • Using available stones without altering their shape.
2. Fashioning:
   • Altering the shape of stones to suit needs.
3. Standardisation:
   • Manufacturing specific tools for designated purposes.

Tools of the Palaeolithic Age

Features of Different Tools:

• Pebble Tools:

  • Description: Earliest stone tools found in Olduvai Gorge, Africa.
  • Modification: Used without significant alterations.

• Biface Core Tools:

  • Description: Tools made by cutting both sides of parent stones.
  • Location: Mainly discovered in Western countries.

• Flake Tools:

  • Description: Tools created by chipping stones from parent rocks; small and lightweight.
  • Technology: Based on Levallois technology.
  • Location: Primarily found in Western countries.

• Chopper Chopping Tools:

  • Description: Large, heavy tools used for cutting and chopping.
  • Location: Found mainly in Southeast Asian countries, including India.

• Stone Tools Made using Blade Technique:

  • Description: Sharp tools useful for various tasks; specialized tools developed for distinct purposes.

Artistic Creations in Palaeolithic Age

• Communication Techniques:
  • Used simple flowing lines, carved images, and sculptures for communication.
• Evidence of Artistic Skills:
  • Carvings on bone showcase artistic capabilities of that era.
• Significance of Pictures and Sculptures:
  • Represent intellectual and technical skills achieved by primitive humans.
  • Showcased rituals or beliefs related to animal figures, carved figures of animals and women, including the Venus figurine.

Characteristics of Ancient Stone Tools

• Mother Stone Tools:
  • Refers to the raw materials used in tool-making.
• Tool-making Traditions:
  • Five traditions emerged during the Paleolithic Age.
• Materials:
  • Tools were also constructed from bone.

Locations of Ancient Human Artworks

Palaeolithic Centers and Their Features:

• Chauvet, France:
  • Illustrations of animals.
• Lamsca, France:
  • Illustrations of animals.
• Cussac, France:
  • Carved figures of animals and women.
• Saraysk, Russia:
  • Venus statue.
• La Garma, Spain:
  • Carvings on bone.

Paleolithic Cave Paintings

• Cave Drawing Locations:
  • Pictures drawn in caves where sunlight did not reach (inner and upper walls).
• Tools Used:
  • Needles and pointed instruments were used for drawing.
• Colors Used:
  • Colors derived from grinding plants, tree bark, and fruits mixed with red powder.

Insights into Human Life from Tools and Art

• Life Characteristics:
  • Usage of rough stone tools.
  • Habitats in caves and open spaces.
  • Hunting and gathering defined livelihoods.
  • Social units were organized in bands.
  • Men primarily engaged in hunting; women participated in gathering.
  • Food was not stored leading to a nomadic lifestyle.

Evidence from Specific Cave Centers

• Cave Centers (e.g., Bhimbetka, Lakhajoar, Kathotia) illustrate:
  • Fishing activities.
  • Development of animal husbandry and food preparation methods.
  • Social entertainment practices (e.g., dance).
  • Artistic skills were evident.

Characteristics of the Mesolithic Age

• Tool Development:
  • Usage of microliths or very small stone tools.
• Livelihood Changes:
  • Fishing gained prominence alongside hunting and gathering.
• Domestication:
  • Signs of animal domestication emerged.
• Social Structure:
  • Division of labor exhibited gender roles.

Examples of Mesolithic Centers

• Star Carr (England).
• Fahien Cave (Sri Lanka).
• Sarai Nahar Rai (India, Uttar Pradesh).

Features of Star Carr

• Settlements:
  • An open-air settlement located in northeast England; identified as Mesolithic.
• Organic Remains:
  • Presence of organic remains is a key feature of the site.
• Tool Discovery:
  • Tools made from stone and bone located here.
• Early Carpentry Evidence:
  • Indications of early carpentry practices.
• Settlement Nature:
  • Utilized by early humans as a temporary residence.

Origins of Agriculture and Animal Domestication

• Factors Leading to Development:
  • Population growth led to increased settlements.
  • Complexity in social organization became apparent.
  • Food shortages necessitated systematic food production.
  • Technological advancements played a role in the shift.

Life in the Neolithic Age

• Domestic Developments:
  • Emergence of animal domestication.
  • Invention of pottery.
  • Manufacturing of clay bricks became common.
  • Formation of specialized occupational categories.
  • Development of polished tools.

Notable Archaeologists and Sites

• Neolithic Revolution Description:
  • The period noted for significant advancements led by The Golden Child.
• Neolithic Center Features at Jarmo:
  • Research conducted by Robert J. Braidwood.
  • Cultivated barley and two types of wheat.
  • Signs of animal domestication.
  • Residences were small huts.
  • Clay figures of animals and humans were crafted.

Impact of Neolithic Changes on Modern Society

• Technological Advancements:
  • Tools developed facilitated soil tilling, wood cutting, and plowing.
• Food Production:
  • Agriculture and animal husbandry led to stable food supplies.
• Settlement Growth:
  • Establishment of agrarian villages promoted significant settlement growth.
• Manufacturing Capability:
  • Clay pots and bricks allowed for effective grain storage.
• Occupational Diversification:
  • Shift in society from purely agricultural to include pottery, weaving, and other trades.

Neolithic Center Comparisons

Metal Age Beginnings

• First Metal Used:
  • Copper was identified as the initial metal utilized.
• Metal Age Designation Reason:
  • Characterized by the mastering of converting raw metals into tools and weaponry.

Locations of Copper Presence

• Notable Sites:
  • Copper findings reported in Catal Huyuk (Turkey), Cayonu (northern Syria), and Ali Kosh (Iran).
• Advantages of Copper Tools Over Stone Tools:
  • They are malleable, allowing shaping into various forms.
  • Increase in durability compared to stone.
  • Repairable to original shape if damaged.
  • Reusable, simplifying practical usage.

Chalcolithic Age Definition

• Description:
  • Period characterized by the combination of copper tool usage alongside stone tools.
• Findings in India:
  • Archaeological remains discovered in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Preparation for Urban Life Activities

• Technological Advancements:
  • Use of animal power (bulls) and wind for agriculture.
  • Introduction of the plow and wheel.
  • Development of metal working technology.
  • Expansion of non-agricultural production sectors.

Understanding Urbanisation

• Definition:
  • A densely populated region where the majority derive livelihoods from non-agricultural activities such as crafts and trade.
• Characteristics:
  • Features wide streets, public buildings, improved facilities, a bustling lifestyle, and entertainment options.

Emergence of Urban Life

• Era of Urban Life:
  • Notably began during the Bronze Age.

Bronze Age Civilisations

• List of Notable Civilisations:
  • Harappan Civilizations (India)
  • Egyptian Civilizations (Egypt)
  • Mesopotamian Civilizations (Iraq)
  • Chinese Civilizations (China)

Harappan Civilization as 'First Urbanization'

• Features:
  • Exemplified by well-planned public infrastructure including buildings, houses, streets, and drainage systems.
  • Granaries present for efficient storage and management of resources.
  • Evidence of diverse crafts and trade present.

Overview of Aryans

• Post-Harappan Civilization:
  • The Aryans migrated into the Sapta Sindhu region of North-West India.
• Linguistic Evidence:
  • They spoke languages within the Indo-European family.
  • It is theorized they originated from Central Asia.

Divisions of the Vedic Period

• Early Vedic Period:
  • Corresponds to the time when the Rigveda was composed.
• Later Vedic Period:
  • Corresponds to the composition of the Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas.

Life Comparison: Early vs. Later Vedic Period