List of the Upper Middle Lower Palaeolithic Sites in India

Humans have evolved from apes and we have significant evolutionary proof in terms of fossils and biological evidence. The Paleolithic Age has immense significance in the development of human beings. It is also called the Old Stone Age. During this time, humans started developing tools made of stones and formed societies or bands to live together. They learned how to make other commodities from such tools as fibres and leather. The development of prehistoric technology took place in this era. In this article, we will study this era and the list of the upper, middle, lower palaeolithic sites in India.

Subdivisions of Paleolithic Age

1. Lower Paleolithic Age

The earliest era of the Paleolithic age is called the Lower Paleolithic Age. It is also called the Old Stone Age that spans over 3 million years. It is during this time stone tools appeared. The first evidence of these tools dates back to this era. As per the archaeological evidence and prehistoric calculation, the time spans from 3 million BC to 300,000 BC.

 The earliest findings of these tools show the date at least 3.3 million years ago. The evolution of stone tools and other prehistoric technologies led to the foundation of this era in the history of human evolution. It is during this time humans or evolving apes were spread across Africa and Western Europe. They lived a nomadic life and remained within small groups. They travelled from one place to the other in search of food. This era is considered to be the 3rd hominid evolution stage.

In India, the population chose areas near the water sources to live and made stone tools. The evidence of stone tools can be found mostly in the river valleys in India. The then humans called Homo habilis made tools from splintered stones. These stones are called eoliths and were used by the then population to make tools for defence and hunting.

2. Middle Paleolithic Age

This era is not as stretched as the Lower Paleolithic one but has immense significance in the development of Neanderthals. It ranged from 300,000 BC to 40,000 BC. They started living in caves and used tools for scavenging and hunting. In this era, humans evolved to start scavenging and gathering mostly. The hunting skills did not evolve that much during this time but they started using fire and its trace can be found in the caves. The name Neanderthal is derived from Neander which means Germany. They used different types of tools for various purposes and were slowly approaching the New Stone Age.

The tools were made of different kinds of stones called flakes as they were stronger and better at boring, drilling, scraping, and pointing. These stones are smaller in size and were used for making clothes, leather products, and fibres from plants. Stone tools back then were made from flakes. They made needles with such stones to sew body coverings made of leather, fur, and tree barks. The evidence of these tools can be found in the Palaeolithic sites in India.

3. Upper Paleolithic Age

This era ranges from 40,000 BC to 8000 BC. It is when humans evolved into a higher species and understood the importance of strong tools made of stones and bones. The lifestyle of this species was not different from that of the Homo erectus and Neanderthals. The tools they used were raw and not refined to last longer. It means that these humans were still using weapons that were raw and unsophisticated. Hence, these tools were still in their primitive form. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests the presence of bones as artefacts used in their daily lives as art.

These artefacts also suggest the use of tools to catch fish. The tools eventually appeared to be polished with sharp edges used for cutting and chipping. The New Stone Age tools also showed the appearance of grinding tools such as mortars and pestles. These tools were used for grinding grains.

The Old Stone Age Indian Sites

The evidence of the tools and other archaeological artefacts shows the intelligence of the then humans in forming tools for hunting, gathering, and scavenging. The tools such as hand axes were used for hunting and defence. Stones were chipped and polished to get sharp edges to cut wood and hunt animals. As we proceed to the Upper Paleolithic Age, we find the tools become more efficient but in their primitive form. The sharp edges of the stones show that the users polished the stones to avail of better tool usage.

They also lived in the caves and hills close to the water sources. The rock shelters near a water source were the best place to live, hunt for food, and scavenge. They did not form communities back then and did not have any knowledge regarding making homes. They used to change their locations based on the food source.

The Indian sites of this age are mentioned below:

1. Upper Palaeolithic Sites in India

The Upper Paleolithic Sites are spread across the different states of India. According to the archaeological evidence from the survey, the sites are:

• Sohan Valley

This valley is spread across West Punjab. It lies in Pakistan now.

• Narmada Valley

This valley is situated beside the Narmada River and covers significant areas in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

• Kurnool Caves, Nellore and Gichchlur

This site is located in Andhra Pradesh. The artefacts found in these caves showed the presence of cave paintings and tools. It refers to the habitation of the Paleolithic humans right beside the water sources in the forest regions.

• Belan Valley

The Belan River is located in between the northernmost Vindhyan Ranges and Kaimur Ranges. The tributaries and the main river provided water sources for prehistoric humans and gave them a brilliant location to live. The Upper Paleolithic artefacts can be found in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

• Nevasa

In this location in Maharashtra, multiple settlements can be found dating back to this era. The evidence dates back to this era suggesting a significant population living here.

• Sabarmati Valley

Located around the river Sabarmati in Gujarat, the Sabarmati valley is an important Paleolithic settlement offering historic evidence to study.

• Singrauli

Singrauli in Uttar Pradesh was a dense forest full of wild animals. The caves and Paleolithic evidence suggest the presence of a significant population thriving here.

• Mayurbhanj

This location is in Orissa and is close to the river Mayurbhanj showing the settlement of earlier humans belonging to the Upper Paleolithic Age.

• Hunasagi Valley

Located in the Yadgir district in Karnataka, Hunasagi is one of the prominent sites of this era. It is also called as Hunsgi Valley of Karnataka.

• Attirampakkam in Kortallaiyar Valley

This is an archaeological site in Tamil Nadu where prehistoric evidence from this era was found.

• Pahalgam

Pahalgam is one of the oldest Paleolithic sites in India. It is located in Kashmir alongside the Lidder River.

• Didwana

This archaeological site is in Nagaur District, Rajasthan. More than 300 axes made of stone dating back to this era were found in this area.

• Bhimbetka Shelters

This archaeological site is located in Madhya Pradesh dating back to this era. The surrounding locations are Adamgarh and Hathnora.

2. Middle Paleolithic Age

• Nevasa

This site gives Middle Paleolithic archaeological evidence showing a significant population living here.

• Bhimbetka Shelters

The resemblance of this era can also be found in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh based on the tools found.

• Karmali Valley

Located in Rajasthan, Karmali Valley and Bagor are prime archaeological sites of this era.

• Singhbhum

Located in the plateau regions of Jharkhand, the evidence collected in this location shows the prehistoric settlement of Old Stone Age humans. This is one of the total Palaeolithic sites in India providing exceptional insights into the Middle Paleolithic Age

• Narmada Valley

This valley is spread across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

3. Lower Paleolithic Age

The leading locations for the Lower Paleolithic Age settlements can be found in:

• Belan Valley

• Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Jogdaha in Madhya Pradesh

• Bagor and Budha Pushkar in Rajasthan

• Nandipalle in Maharashtra

• Kurnool Caves in Andhra Pradesh

• Singhbhum in Jharkhand

Study this list of the upper, middle, lower Paleolithic sites in India and memorize considering the states and the era accordingly. You will get a good idea of how the prehistoric settlements during the Paleolithic Age propagated in our subcontinent.

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