Prehistoric Burial Practices

Triple Human Burial at Damdama | Mesolithic Site

A single grave containing three human skeletons was recovered from the Mesolithic site of Damdama in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class 11 - Ancient India (R.S. Sharma)

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Three human skeletons in a single grave were recovered at-

[U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2016]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Burial practices in the Mesolithic period provide clues about social structure, family bonds, and beliefs regarding the afterlife.

Authentic Source Evidence


Excavations at Damdama (Pratapgarh, UP) revealed 41 graves. Among these, one grave contained three human skeletons buried together.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: Damdama is unique for its high density of graves and the specific triple burial finding.

  • Logic 2: Sarai Nahar Rai and Mahadaha are also Mesolithic sites in the same region, but they are known for double burials or specific microlithic findings rather than a triple burial.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What do communal or multiple burials suggest about prehistoric societies?"

    They may suggest simultaneous death due to conflict or disease, or a strong familial bond where individuals were meant to stay together in the afterlife.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The Pratapgarh region of Uttar Pradesh acts as a critical hub for understanding the transition of human societies in the mid-Gangetic plains during the Mesolithic era."

    Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

    Microliths 4

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