Upper Paleolithic Age (40,000 − 10,000 Bp): Technology, Art, and Society

The Upper Paleolithic Age marks a transformative period in human prehistory, characterized by remarkable advancements in technology, art, and social organization.

Characteristics

• Modern humans evolved in Africa around 300,000 years ago, migrated to Asia by 60,000 years ago, and possibly introduced the Upper Palaeolithic culture in India. 
• This period is marked by innovation in tool technology and increased cognitive capability in humans.
• Distribution: 
  • Meralbhavi in Karnataka, Kurnool caves in Andhra Pradesh, and Godavarikhani in Telangana.
  • Baghor I and Baghor III of Son Valley in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Patne in Maharashtra, Bhopal, Chotanagpur Plateau, and Bhimbetka.

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• Way of Life:
  • The people of this period used caves as well as the open-air space for living.
  • Evidence of art appears in the form of paintings, beads and ornaments. Some of the Green colour paintings of Bhimbetka date to this period.
  • Incised ostrich eggshell, shell and stone beads of this period, have been found at Jwalapuram in Andhra Pradesh, Patne in Maharashtra.

• Tools: It was based on blade and bone tool technologies. Bone tools and faunal remains have been found in Kurnool caves in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Microliths (tiny stone tools) were introduced, and these tools were made using different varieties of silica-rich raw materials.

Conclusion

• The Upper Paleolithic Age represents a pinnacle of human creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity. 
  • It laid the groundwork for the transition to sedentary lifestyles and the eventual emergence of complex civilizations, shaping the course of human history.