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

April 20, 2024 424 0

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. 
  • The Narmada Valley yielded a partial hominid skull cap in a basal conglomerate deposit in 1982. 
  • This fossil is the oldest hominin fossil found in India and is known as the Narmada Man, or Sivapithecus sivalensis. It was found at Hathnora near Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is considered to represent the Archaic Homo sapiens. 
  • It is the only existing fossil find of human ancestors in India.
  • It provides direct evidence of the presence of early human ancestors on the subcontinent.
  • 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.

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  • 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. 
Equus refers to the genus of animals, including horses, asses and zebras.
    • 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.
Acheulian and Sohanian Tradition

  • The Acheulian and Sohanian cultures represent two distinct prehistoric technological traditions that emerged during the Early Palaeolithic Age. Both cultures are characterised by their distinctive stone tool assemblages
  • Sohan tradition is considered to have used only choppers and chopping tools. 
    • It is more confined to the northwestern part and gets its name from the Sohan river valley of Pakistan. 
  • Acheulian tradition used mainly hand axes and cleavers. These sites are well-documented across various parts of India and found more in Central India and in the south-eastern part of India (near Chennai), but are absent in the Western Ghats, coastal areas and north-eastern India due to heavy rainfall. 

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.
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