All About Lower/Early Palaeolithic Age (20,00,000 − 60,000 Bp)

Introduction

The Lower/ Early Paleolithic Age marks a significant period in human prehistory, characterized by the emergence of early hominids and the development of basic stone tool technology.

Characteristics of Lower/Early Palaeolithic Age

• During the Lower/Early Palaeolithic Age, the human ancestor species Homo erectus is believed to have lived in India. 

• Distribution: Lower Palaeolithic tools are found in most parts of India, except a few regions of the Ganges valley, southern Tamil Nadu, and in the hilly areas of the Western Ghats.
  Some of the prominent sites include:
  • River Soan Valley in Punjab (now in Pakistan), Belan Valley (Mirzapur district, UP).
  • Athirampakkam, Pallavaram and Gudiyam near Chennai.
  • Hunsgi Valley and Isampur in Karnataka, and Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

• Lifestyle:
  • The early humans of the Lower/Early Palaeolithic Age were primarily hunters and gatherers and lived a nomadic lifestyle.
  • They hunted animals and gathered roots, nuts, and fruits. They fed on the flesh and bones of animals killed by predators.
    • In the Narmada valley, animal fossils of Elephas namadicus (giant tusked pre-historic elephant), Stegodon Ganesa (a giant pre-historic elephant), Bos namadicus (wild cattle) and Equus Namadicus (extinct great horse like animal) have been recovered.
    • At Attirampakkam teeth of Equus, evidence of Water Buffalo and Nilgai, as well as 17 animal hoof prints have been uncovered. 

• • Homoerectus lived near the river valleys in caves and rock shelters, as seen from evidence in Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh and Gudiyam near Chennai.
  • Homo Erectus did not have a complex language culture like Homo Sapiens. They may have expressed a few sounds or words and used sign language.
• Tools: 
  • The first Palaeolithic tools were identified at the site of Pallavaram near Chennai by Robert Bruce Foote in 1863.
  • Tools included hand axes, choppers, and cleavers, similar to tools used in Western Asia, Europe, and Africa. The tools had physical symmetry, highlighting pre-historic human’s high-quality cognitive (perception) skills and capabilities.

Conclusion

• The Lower/Early Palaeolithic Age laid the groundwork for subsequent human evolution and technological advancements. 
  • It represents a crucial phase in our prehistoric past, marked by the emergence of early tool-making capabilities and the spread of early human populations across different regions.