
Neolithic Age(first civilization of India)
Neolithic sites


The Neolithic Age in India marks the beginning of the shift from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled agrarian lifestyle. This period is characterized by the emergence of agriculture, domestication of animals, and the use of polished stone tools. It began around 7000 BCE and lasted until about 1500 BCE.
During the Neolithic Age, India was home to several cultures, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the major cultures include the Mehrgarh Culture, the Indus Valley Civilization, the Chalcolithic Cultures of Central India, and the South Indian Neolithic.
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Mehrgarh - Located in present-day Pakistan, Mehrgarh is one of the earliest known Neolithic sites in the Indian subcontinent. It was occupied from around 7000 BCE to 2500 BCE and is known for its sophisticated pottery, agriculture, and metallurgy.
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Harappa - Harappa was one of the major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. The site is located in present-day Pakistan and is known for its well-planned streets, drainage system, and large public buildings.
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Mohenjo-daro - Another major urban center of the Indus Valley Civilization, Mohenjo-daro is located in present-day Pakistan and is known for its impressive architecture, including large public baths, granaries, and a sophisticated sewage system.
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Dholavira - Dholavira is a well-preserved Harappan city located in present-day Gujarat, India. It is known for its impressive water management system, with several large reservoirs and an intricate network of canals.
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Lothal - Lothal was a major Harappan port city located in present-day Gujarat, India. It is known for its dockyard and warehouses, which suggest that it was an important center of trade.
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Bhimbetka rock shelters - Located in present-day Madhya Pradesh, India, the Bhimbetka rock shelters contain some of the earliest known rock art in the world, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period.
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Adichanallur - Adichanallur is a burial site located in present-day Tamil Nadu, India, which dates back to the Neolithic period. It is known for its intricate burial practices and the discovery of several bronze artifacts.
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Brahmagiri - Located in present-day Karnataka, India, Brahmagiri is known for its megalithic structures, including dolmens and menhirs. It was occupied from the Neolithic period until the Iron Age.
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Burzahom - Burzahom is a Neolithic site located in present-day Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is known for its unique circular pit dwellings and the discovery of several bone tools and figurines.
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Koldihwa - Koldihwa is a Neolithic site located in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for its early cultivation of crops such as rice and wheat and the discovery of several stone tools.
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Inamgaon - Inamgaon is a Chalcolithic site located in present-day Maharashtra, India. It is known for its advanced metalworking techniques and the discovery of several terracotta figurines.
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Navdatoli - Navdatoli is a Chalcolithic site located in present-day Madhya Pradesh, India. It is known for its impressive fortifications and the discovery of several copper artifacts.
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Paiyampalli - Paiyampalli is a Neolithic site located in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its distinctive burial practices, including the use of large urns to bury the dead.
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Utnur - Utnur is a Chalcolithic site located in present-day Telangana, India. It is known for its impressive fortifications and the discovery of several copper artifacts.
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Maski - Maski is a Chalcolithic site located in present-day Karnataka, India. It is known for its unique stone sculptures, including a bust of a king that is believed to be one of the earliest known portraits in India.
Neolithic cultures


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Mehrgarh Culture - The Mehrgarh Culture is one of the earliest known Neolithic cultures in the Indian subcontinent. It was located in present-day Pakistan and was occupied from around 7000 BCE to 2500 BCE. The culture is known for its sophisticated pottery, agriculture, and metallurgy.
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Indus Valley Civilization - The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, existed from around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. It was one of the most advanced civilizations of its time and developed urban centers with well-planned streets, drainage systems, and large public buildings. The Indus Valley Civilization is also known for its system of writing, which has not yet been fully deciphered.
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Chalcolithic Cultures of Central India - The Chalcolithic Cultures of Central India were a group of cultures that existed from around 2000 BCE to 700 BCE. They were known for their advanced metalworking techniques, including the production of copper and bronze artifacts. These cultures also developed distinctive styles of pottery, including the black-and-red ware and the painted grey ware.
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South Indian Neolithic - The South Indian Neolithic cultures existed from around 3000 BCE to 1400 BCE. They were known for their megalithic monuments, including dolmens and menhirs. These cultures also developed distinctive styles of pottery, including the red ware and the black ware.
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Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture - The Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture existed from around 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE. It was a culture that developed in the Gangetic plain and was known for its distinctive pottery, which was decorated with red and black ochre.
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Jorwe Culture - The Jorwe Culture existed from around 1400 BCE to 700 BCE. It was a culture that developed in present-day Maharashtra and was known for its advanced agriculture and the development of the plow. The Jorwe Culture also developed distinctive styles of pottery, including the black-and-red ware and the painted grey ware.
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Ahar-Banas Culture - The Ahar-Banas Culture existed from around 3000 BCE to 1500 BCE. It was a culture that developed in present-day Rajasthan and was known for its advanced agriculture, the domestication of animals, and the use of copper and bronze artifacts.
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Hakra Ware Culture - The Hakra Ware Culture existed from around 3500 BCE to 2500 BCE. It was a culture that developed in present-day Pakistan and was known for its distinctive pottery, which was decorated with red and black paint.
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Kayatha Culture - The Kayatha Culture existed from around 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE. It was a culture that developed in present-day Madhya Pradesh and was known for its distinctive pottery, which was decorated with geometric patterns.
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Malwa Culture - The Malwa Culture existed from around 1600 BCE to 1300 BCE. It was a culture that developed in present-day Madhya Pradesh and was known for its distinctive pottery, which was decorated with red and black paint.
These Neolithic cultures developed unique characteristics in terms of their agriculture, settlement patterns, craft skills, and artistic traditions. They also left behind valuable archaeological evidence in the form of pottery, tools, and other artifacts, providing insights into the lives of the people who lived during this time.
The Neolithic Age in India can be further divided into three phases: Early, Middle, and Late Neolithic. The Early Neolithic period, spanning from 10,000 BCE to 8000 BCE, was characterized by the hunting and gathering lifestyle of the people. The Middle Neolithic period, from 8000 BCE to 6000 BCE, saw the emergence of settled communities, with the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals. The Late Neolithic period, from 6000 BCE to 4000 BCE, marked the transition to the Neolithic period, with the emergence of full-fledged agricultural societies.