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Ancient History (Udaan) > PALAEOLITHIC AGE (Early History) > Flashcards

PALAEOLITHIC AGE (Early History) Flashcards

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1
Q

What does “Palaeolithic” mean?

A

Old Stone Age

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2
Q

When did the Palaeolithic Age begin and end?

A

3.3 million years ago to 11,650 BP

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3
Q

Where did the first human ancestors likely evolve?

A

Africa

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4
Q

Which ancestor species first migrated out of Africa?

A

Homo erectus

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5
Q

What type of shelter did early humans use?

A

Caves and rock shelters

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6
Q

What were the Palaeolithic people’s main activities?

A

Hunting and gathering

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7
Q

Did they use fire?

A

Yes, later in the period

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8
Q

What materials were used for tools?

A

Unpolished stones like hand axes and cleavers

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9
Q

Why were they called “Quartzite men” in India?

A

They used quartzite for tools

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10
Q

How many phases does the Palaeolithic Age have?

A

Three

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11
Q

What are the names of these phases?

A

Lower, Middle, Upper

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12
Q

What is the date range for the Lower Palaeolithic Age?

A

200,000 - 60,000 BP

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13
Q

What is the date range for the Middle Palaeolithic Age?

A

385,000 - 40,000 BP

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14
Q

What is the date range for the Upper Palaeolithic Age?

A

40,000 - 10,000 BP

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15
Q

When did the Lower Palaeolithic Age occur in India?

A

200,000 - 60,000 BP

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16
Q

Which ancestor species is believed to have lived in India during this time?

A

Homo erectus

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17
Q

Where was the oldest hominin fossil found in India discovered?

A

Narmada Valley, Madhya Pradesh

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18
Q

What is the name of this fossil?

A

Narmada Man (or Sivapithecus sivalensis)

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19
Q

What species does it represent?

A

Archaic Homo sapiens

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20
Q

Is this the only fossil find of human ancestors in India?

A

Yes

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21
Q

What does this fossil provide evidence of?

A

Early human presence in India

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22
Q

Where are Lower Palaeolithic tools found in India?

A

Most regions except parts of the Ganges valley, southern Tamil Nadu, and the Western Ghats

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23
Q

Name some prominent Lower Palaeolithic sites in India.

A

River Soan Valley (Punjab), Belan Valley (UP), Athirampakkam (Chennai), Hunsgi Valley (Karnataka), Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)

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24
Q

What was the primary occupation of the early humans in this period?

A

Hunting and gathering (nomadic lifestyle)

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25
Q

What did they hunt and gather?

A

Animals, roots, nuts, and fruits

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26
Q

What are some examples of animals found in the Narmada Valley and Attirampakkam?

A

Elephants (giant tusked, Stegodon), wild cattle, extinct horse-like animals, water buffalo, nilgai

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27
Q

Where did they live?

A

Caves and rock shelters near river valleys (Bhimbetka, Gudiyam)

28
Q

How complex was their language compared to Homo sapiens?

A

Less complex, possibly few sounds/words and sign language

29
Q

Did they use fire?

A

Evidence is inconclusive but likely not widespread during this period

30
Q

When and where were the first Palaeolithic tools discovered in India?

A

In 1863, at Pallavaram near Chennai by Robert Bruce Foote.

31
Q

What types of tools were common during this period?

A

Hand axes, choppers, and cleaver axes (similar to those found in other parts of the world).

32
Q

What can the physical symmetry of these tools tell us?

A

It suggests advanced cognitive skills and perception abilities in early humans.

33
Q

What are the two distinct technological traditions of the Early Palaeolithic Age?

A

Acheulian and Sohanian

34
Q

What type of tools did the Sohanian tradition use?

A

Primarily choppers and chopping tools.

35
Q

Where is the Sohanian tradition mainly found?

A

Northwestern India, named after the Sohan River valley in Pakistan.

36
Q

What types of tools did the Acheulian tradition use?

A

Hand axes and cleavers predominantly.

37
Q

Where are Acheulian sites found in India?

A

Across various parts of India, especially Central India and the southeastern region (near Chennai).

38
Q

Why are Acheulian sites not found in certain areas?

A

They are absent in the Western Ghats, coastal areas, and northeastern India due to heavy rainfall that might have eroded evidence.

39
Q

What are the two key characteristics of the Middle Palaeolithic Age?

A

Changes in lithic technology and divergence of human ancestor species due to behavioral modernity.

40
Q

Who first identified this phase in India and where?

A

H.D. Sankalia at Nevasa on the Pravara River (Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra).

41
Q

Compare the association of the Middle Stone Age with human species in Africa and Europe.

A

In Africa, it’s associated with Homo sapiens, while in Europe, it’s associated with Neanderthals.

42
Q

Why is no hominin fossil bone evidence found in India during this period?

A

The evidence might be missing due to erosion or incomplete exploration.

43
Q

When and where did Neanderthals live?

A

They lived in Eurasia from approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago.

44
Q

How were Neanderthals related to modern humans?

A

They were a species of archaic humans closely related to modern humans, sharing a common ancestor.

45
Q

In which areas of India are Middle Palaeolithic sites found?

A

Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna areas, south of the Tungabhadra River, and Soan River Valley.

46
Q

What type of lifestyle did the human ancestors have during this period?

A

They were hunter-gatherers living in open-air, cave, and rock shelter sites.

47
Q

What were the prominent tools used in the Middle Palaeolithic Age?

A

Hand axes, cleavers, choppers, chopping tools, scrapers, projectile points, knives on flakes.

48
Q

How did the tools differ from the Early Palaeolithic era?

A

There was a decrease in hand axe use, tools became smaller, and the flake industry with scrapers, points, and borers became prominent.

49
Q

What materials were used to make Middle Palaeolithic tools?

A

Chert, jasper, chalcedony, and quartz.

50
Q

When did the Upper Palaeolithic Age occur in India?

A

From 40,000 to 10,000 years ago.

51
Q

Where did modern humans evolve and when did they reach Asia?

A

Modern humans evolved in Africa around 300,000 years ago and reached Asia by 60,000 years ago.

52
Q

What two things mark the Upper Palaeolithic Age?

A

Innovation in tool technology and increased cognitive capability in humans.

53
Q

Name three sites in South India where Upper Palaeolithic remains have been found.

A

Meralbhavi in Karnataka, Kurnool caves in Andhra Pradesh, and Godavarikhani in Telangana.

54
Q

Where are the Baghor I and Baghor III sites located?

A

Son Valley in Madhya Pradesh.

55
Q

In which other states have Upper Palaeolithic sites been found?

A

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

56
Q

What did people of the Upper Palaeolithic Age use for shelter?

A

Caves and open-air spaces.

57
Q

What forms of art appeared in the Upper Palaeolithic Age?

A

Paintings, beads, and ornaments.

58
Q

Which site has some of the oldest green colour paintings from this period?

A

Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh.

59
Q

Where have incised ostrich eggshells, shell beads, and stone beads been found?

A

Jwalapuram in Andhra Pradesh and Patne in Maharashtra.

60
Q

Where is the earliest known shrine in India located?

A

Baghor, Uttar Pradesh.

61
Q

What does the shrine-like structure resemble?

A

A block of sandstone surrounded by a rubble circle, similar to contemporary shrines.

62
Q

What were the two main types of tools used in the Upper Palaeolithic Age?

A

Blade tools and bone tools.

63
Q

Where have bone tools and faunal remains been found?

A

Kurnool caves in Andhra Pradesh.

64
Q

What new type of tool was introduced in this period?

A

Microliths, tiny stone tools made from various silica-rich materials.

65
Q

How do the ostrich eggshells from Bhimbetka and Patne provide information about the age of the paintings?

A

They can be carbon-dated to give an absolute date for the layer in which they were found, thus helping to date the associated paintings.

Ancient History (Udaan) (5 decks)

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