Chalcolithic Age

Introduction

After the neolithic age, many habitants began using metals like low grade iron and copper, predominantly. Thus, the age was coined ‘Chalcolithic’. The word ‘chalco’ is derived from the Greek word ‘khalkos’ and lithic is derived from ‘lithos’. The word ‘chalco’ denotes copper, and ‘lithic’ means stone. For this reason, it is also known as the Stone-Copper Age or Eneolithic period, an extensional period of Neolithic Age.

The Chalcolithic Age

In India, the beginning of the Chalcolithic Age can be dated back to 2000 BC-700 BC. It can be seen in the pre-harappan, harappan, post-harappan era as well in different regions.

Chalcolithic Age - The People

As per evidence, the chalcolithic people were rural people and were settled near the rivers and hills. They predominantly practiced farming, hunted animals, and went fishing. There were many communities that inhabited during the chalcolithic era in various parts of India. The occupation of the chalcolithic people were mainly artisans, lime makers, coppersmiths and ivory carvers.

Chalcolithic Age - Chalcolithic Sites

The famous chalcolithic sites that are found so far are as follows −

• Mehrgarh

• Jodhpura

• Ganeshwar

• Narham

• Chirand

• Koldihwa

• Pandu rajar dhibi

• Golabai sasam

• Brahmagiri

• Hallur

• Sanganakallu

• Pikhlihal

• Maski

• Inamgaon

• Nevasa

• Jorwe

• Daimabad

• Rangpur

• Prabhas Patan

• Navadatoli

• Kayatha

• Prabhas patan

• Eran

• Ahar

• Balathal, and

• Gilund

Chalcolithic Age – Houses

The houses of chalcolithic people were either rectangular or circular shaped. The walls were made of mud and plastered with lime and cow dung or were made with frames of wood. The other materials used were stone, wooden items, mud bricks. The houses were predominantly single-roomed, but there was evidence of multi-roomed houses as well. Remains of large mud houses were also found during the chalcolithic period. It consisted of five rooms, out of which four rooms were rectangular-shaped, and one circular shaped room in the center. Circular pit houses and ovens were found in a place named Inamgaon.

Chalcolithic Age - Animals

The Chalcolithic people used animals both for domestication as well as food. The animals that were found during the chalcolithic age were buffalo, cattle, sheep, goat, pig and camels. Fowls and turtles were also found in many chalcolithic sites

Chalcolithic Age - Food and Crops

Apart from meat, the chalcolithic people had rice and fish. As per the archeological findings, rice was cultivated in Eastern India during this period. In the western part of India, barley was cultivated. The chalcolithic community, Navdatoli cultivated linseed and ber. Wheat, lentil, jawar, ragi, bajra, millets, black gram, green gram, green peas, and barley were the major crops cultivated during the chalcolithic age. For the storage of these grains ‘silos’ were used. Silos are pits used for storage. Chalcolithic people cultivated cotton as well.

Chalcolithic Age - Weapons and Tools

During the chalcolithic age, flat axes, knives, blades, barbed arrowheads, no-socket axes, choppers, fishing hooks, rods, chisels, and pins were used both as tools and weapons. The people also made bangles, antimony rods, and rings. These tools were made of copper as well as alloys of copper like low grade bronze.

Chalcolithic Age- Pottery

Pottery was used extensively during the chalcolithic period. There were various types of potteries available. The most common and widely used potteries were ‘Ochre-coloured Pottery (OCP)’ and ‘Black and Red Pottery’. Some of the other designs available were bowls-on-stand, dish-on-stands, and channel-spouted pots. Ochre-coloured Pottery is designed with black paint and is used as basins, storage jars, bowls, and normal jars.

Chalcolithic Age - Art and Culture

The people of chalcolithic age wore ornaments made of semi-precious stones such as carnelian, jasper, agate, and chalcedony. The people of chalcolithic age did their pottery on wheels, it was mostly in orange and red colour. The design of the pots were mainly linear designs using black pigment. Few potteries also had vegetable, birds, flowers, and animal designs.

There were silk thread, flax, and cotton remains found in Maharastrian sites of the chalcolithic age, which proves the people knew the art of spinning as well as weaving.

Chalcolithic Age - Burials

Chalcolithic people used to bury the dead underneath the floor of their houses. The dead were placed along with a few copper items and even their pets. The dead were buried in the North-South direction. Some of the archeological evidences that confirm the facts are as follows-

In the region of Navas, burials of children were found with ornaments around their neck and few copper potteries. Similarly, burials were found in the Kayatha region which had two uniquely shaped axes; 29 bangles were found as well.

Conclusion

The Chalcolithic people settled near the hills and rivers, thus making cultivation easier. The use of pottery grew extensively, and during this period painted pottery was used for the first time. From the evidence, it can be said the chalcolithic people were traditional and had cultural and regional influence. One such example is that in south India during the Chalcolithic age, the dead were buried in east-west direction.

FAQs

Qns 1. What kind of tools were used during the Chalcolithic period?

Ans. The most common tools used by the chalcolithic people were microlithic tools, made of stone, copper, and low grade bronze.

Qns 2. Name some pre-harappan chalcolithic settlements?

Ans. Kalibangan site, Rajasthan and Bhanawali site in Harayana are the early harappan sites excavated.

Qns 3. What is the Chalcolithic period known as?

Ans. This is the period where the people learned the earth of smelting. Along with stones, coppers and its alloys like low-grade iron were used to make tools and weapons. It is thus known as India’s first Metal Age or Stone-Copper Age.