Indian Prehistory
Stone Age in India: Tool Technology & Periods
In India, Stone Age periods are identified by tool technology. Evolution was not uniform or unilinear, and significant regional variations existed across the subcontinent.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class 11 - Ancient India (R.S. Sharma)
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2020
Evidence Source
Link ↗Consider the following statements about Stone Age in India:
1. Different periods are identified on the basis of the type and technology of stone tools.
2. There are no regional variations in the type and technology of tools in different periods.
3. Stone Age cultures of different periods evolved uniformly in a neat unilinear fashion all over the subcontinent.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC CDS 2020 (I)]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
Archaeologists divide the Stone Age based on the geological era and the sophistication of tools used by early humans.Authentic Source Evidence
According to NCERT, the Palaeolithic is marked by quartzite hand-axes, the Mesolithic by microliths, and the Neolithic by polished stones. Evidence from sites like Belan Valley shows that these phases overlapped regionally.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"Why is the Stone Age evolution called 'multi-linear' in India?"
Because different geographic regions progressed at different speeds, with hunting-gathering persisting in some areas while agriculture began in others.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"Stone tools are not just artifacts; they represent the first major technological 'software' upgrade of the human species in the Indian subcontinent."
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