The Neolithic Age

Introduction

The Neolithic age is the third and final part of the Stone Age. It also marks the beginning of a New Stone Age. This stage started in different time frames in different regions. In the world, the Neolithic Age began around 9000 BC. In India, the New Stone Age can be dated back to 7000 BC to 1000 BC. It is during this era, the domestication of animals and agriculture began. One of the characteristics of Neolithic age that differentiate it from the Paleolithic Age and Mesolithic Age is the use of polished stones as tools and weapons.

Origination of Neolithic Age

The Neolithic age can be traced back to 9000 BC, whereas in the Indian subcontinent, the Neolithic settlement first started in Mehrgarh, located in modern day Pakistan, at around 7000 BC. By 5000 BC, the Neolithic settlement spread to the north of Vindhya Range. The evidence of the presence of Neolithic settlement in South India can be traced back to 2500 BC. As per archeological evidence, the Neolithic settlement in the South and East regions of India began in 1000 BC.

Location of the Neolithic sites

The Neolithic sites in ancient India can be divided into two categories − The Excavated Neolithic Sites, and The Modern Towns.

The present modern towns that are also Neolithic sites are Srinagar, Delhi, Bombay, Nagpur, Calcutta, Patna, Guwahati, and Madras; Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi in present-day Pakistan.

The excavated Neolithic sites are: Burzahom, Gulkaral, Utnur, Kodekal, Maski, Sanganakallu, Palavoy, Brahmagiri, T.Narshipur, Paiyampalli, Hemmige, Hallur, Kupgal, Terdal, Tekkalakoda, Kucha, Barudih, Chirand, Sarutatu, Marakdola, and Daojalihading. Chalingai, Saraikhola, Kile gul Mohammed, and Mehrgarh in present-day Pakistan.

Neolithic Age - People

The Neolithic people based their livelihood on hunting and fishing. Archaeological evidence of the same was found in the Burzahom region, Kashmir. The Neolithic age is the period where the domestication of animals started along with agriculture, and the evidence was found in Gufkral region Kashmir. Shifting cultivation was practiced in the north-eastern region. Most of the Neolithic people were cattle herders. Goats, cattle and sheeps were the most domesticated animals.

Neolithic Age - Animals

As agriculture started, the domestication of animals took place. As per the archeological evidence found, the most commonly domesticated animals were sheeps, cattles, and goats. In the Kashmir region dog, pig and fowl were also domesticated. Evidence of wild animals like Kashmir Stag, bear, wolf, red deer and ibex were hunted.

Neolithic Age - Food and Crops

The Neolithic people had meat and fish. Apart from these, the major crops that were cultivated during this period were rice, horse gram, wheat, ragi, and barley. The other crops that were cultivated were six-rowed barley, green gram, linseed, chicken pea, mustard, The Neolithic cultivators also produced cotton. Taro and yam were cultivated in the north-eastern region. Evidence of jackfruits and dates can also be seen.

Neolithic Age - Weapons

The people of the Neolithic Age used weapons made up of polished stones, which were much more durable. One such example is the stone axes. The Neolithic people used different types of axes, and it was found that the shapes and size of the axes used were different in different regions. Neolithic axes can be broadly divided into three, on the basis of axes found −

• North Eastern Region − In this region, the polished stones axes were rectangular in shape and the cutting edges were curved.

• North Western Regions − In this region, the axes were made of polished stones. They had a rectangular butt and shouldered hoes axes were also used.

• Southern Regions − In the southern regions of the Neolithic age, axes were found with pointed butts and sides were oval shaped.

Neolithic Age - Tools

The Neolithic people used tools made up of polished stones, bones. Microlithic blades were used. The most used tools were splayed celts, pointed-butt cells, axes, digging sticks with ring stones, adzes, pounders, mace-heads, stone hoes, and chisels. Scrapers were used to work with animal skins.

In North West Kashmiri Neolithic culture, bone tools, stone tools, and ceramic were found. The use of bone implements, made from deer horns, were also found in the Chirand Neolithic site. The use of microliths was not found in the Neolithic age.

Neolithic Age - Burials

The Neolithic people used to bury their dead. Along with the dead, their pets were also buried. Till date, the evidence of dead buried in graves with their domesticated dogs is only found in the Burzahom region. In the Kashmir region, antler horns were also found alongside the dead.

Neolithic Age – Pottery

Neolithic Age – Houses

Evidence of pottery was found during the Neolithic period. The pottery found during this age can be classified under mat- immersed ware, black- burnished ware, grey ware, painted and cold-marked pottery.

The Neolithic people lived in houses made of reed and mud. The houses were circular, oval and rectangular in shape. In the Mehrgarh Neolithic site, the use of mud bricks to build houses were also found. The evidence of dwelling pits, postholes were found in Burzahom, a North West Kashmiri Neolithic site.

Neolithic Age - Other Characteristics

The Neolithic architecture was Megalithic. A large stone was carved to make structures. Moreover, the Neolithic people had common rights over the land. The Neolithic age people wore ornaments made of sandstone, lapis lazuli, turquoise, limestone and seashell.

Conclusion

In the Neolithic age, as people resided near the hills and rivers, the land was mostly fertile. As a result agriculture started and the domestication of animals helped in agricultural growth. Thus, the use of pottery is evident for the first time in the Neolithic Age. It was used for storing surplus foods. This is also the stage where people started building permanent homes. The Neolithic age existed in different time frames in different regions, and the evidence found in these regions are different from another which helps us to get an understanding on the Neolithic socio-economic, political and cultural life.

FAQs

How was the Neolithic architecture?

Ans − Megalithic architecture was used during the neolithic age.

When was the early evidence of rice cultivation found?

Ans − In Lehuradeva, evidence of rice cultivation dated back to 3500 BC was found.

In which Neolithic sites ash mounds were found?

Ans − In Utnur, Palvoy, Kodekal, Kupgal, and Budhihal Neolithic sites, ash mounds were found.