Mesolithic | mysite

3 steps towards settled life

The Mesolithic Age in India, also known as the Middle Stone Age, began around 10,000 BCE and lasted until the beginning of the Neolithic period around 4000 BCE. This era marked a significant shift in human development, with the emergence of settled communities, the domestication of plants and animals, and the development of agriculture. During this time, several cultures emerged, each with its unique features and characteristics.

First Settlement

Oldest mesolithic site

The oldest Mesolithic site in India is believed to be the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh, which date back to around 10,000 BCE.

first excavated mesolithic site

The first excavated Mesolithic site in India was the Bagor site in Rajasthan, which was excavated by A. N. Khosla in 1953-54.

Introduction

The Mesolithic people in India were known for their persistence and adaptability. Despite significant changes in the environment and the emergence of new technologies and cultures, the Mesolithic people continued to live and thrive in various regions of India.

They were skilled hunters and gatherers who had an intimate knowledge of the local flora and fauna. They lived in small, mobile groups and moved from place to place in search of food and water. As the climate changed and new plant and animal species emerged, the Mesolithic people adapted their subsistence strategies accordingly.

With the emergence of settled communities and the development of agriculture, the Mesolithic people gradually transitioned to a more sedentary lifestyle. However, they continued to maintain their hunting and gathering practices, which remained an important part of their culture and identity. The persistence of Mesolithic people is reflected in the continuity of certain cultural practices and traditions that have survived to this day in various parts of India.

7 Major Mesolithic Cultures in India.

The Bhimbetka Culture was a Microlithic Culture that emerged around 10,000 BCE in the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh. This culture is known for its focus on hunting and gathering, as well as its use of microliths and other stone tools. The Bhimbetka rock shelters are particularly notable for their collection of rock paintings, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Mesolithic people. The site includes more than 700 rock shelters and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Bagor Culture was a Blade Culture that emerged around 7500 BCE in the Bagor region of Rajasthan. This culture is known for its complex social organization and elaborately decorated rock art. The Bagor people were skilled hunters and made use of advanced blade technology, which allowed for more efficient hunting and cutting. They also had a well-developed system of trade, as evidenced by the presence of exotic materials such as carnelian and agate.
The Langhnaj Culture was a Ceramic Culture that emerged around 7000 BCE in the Langhnaj region of Gujarat. This culture is known for its use of natural rock shelters for habitation and its development of unique ceramic technologies. The Langhnaj people produced distinctive ceramic vessels, which were decorated with intricate designs and patterns. They were also skilled farmers and made use of advanced irrigation techniques to cultivate crops.
The Tekkalkota Culture was a Microlithic Culture that emerged around 4000 BCE in the Tekkalkota region of Karnataka. This culture is known for its reliance on fishing and hunting, as well as its use of microliths and other stone tools. The Tekkalkota people were skilled fishermen and made use of the abundant fish resources in the region. They also made use of the surrounding forests for hunting and gathering.
The Kupgal Culture was a Microlithic Culture that emerged around 4000 BCE in the Kupgal region of Andhra Pradesh. This culture is known for its early forms of agriculture, as well as its use of microliths and other stone tools. The Kupgal people were skilled farmers and made use of advanced irrigation techniques to cultivate crops. They also made use of the surrounding forests for hunting and gathering.
The Gufkral Culture was a Bone Tool Culture that emerged around 2500 BCE in the Gufkral region of Kashmir. This culture is known for its use of bone tools, which were used for hunting, cutting, and other tasks. The Gufkral people had a simpler social organization and did not produce much art, but their reliance on bone tools was an important technological development during the Mesolithic period. They also made use of the surrounding forests for hunting and gathering.
The Blade Cultures were characterized by their advanced blade technology, which allowed for more efficient hunting and cutting. The Bagor Culture is known for its complex social organization and elaborately decorated rock art, while the Pachmarhi Culture is known for its use of natural rock shelters for habitation and its distinctive blade technology.

8 Major Sites

The Bhimbetka rock shelters are a group of 750 rock shelters and caves located in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains in Madhya Pradesh, India. These shelters contain the oldest rock art found in India and date back to the Upper Paleolithic period. The rock art depicts animals, human figures, hunting scenes, and other abstract forms, providing valuable insights into the lives of the people who lived there. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
The Bagor site is located in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, India. The site was discovered in 1990 and is known for its Mesolithic and Chalcolithic remains. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 7000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery. The site also contains remains from the Chalcolithic period, which saw the emergence of copper tools and pottery.
The Langhnaj site is located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, India. The site was discovered in the 1950s and has been excavated extensively. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 7000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery. The site also contains evidence of early agriculture, including the cultivation of wheat and barley.
The Tekkalkota site is located in the Bellary district of Karnataka, India. The site was discovered in 1955 and is known for its Mesolithic and Neolithic remains. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 3000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery. The Neolithic period at the site is dated to around 1500 BCE and is characterized by the emergence of polished stone tools and agriculture.
The Kupgal site is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The site was discovered in the 1980s and is known for its Mesolithic remains. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 9000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery.
The Gufkral site is located in the Baramulla district of Kashmir, India. The site was discovered in 1975 and is known for its Mesolithic remains. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 5000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery.
The Damdama site is located in the Yamuna-Nagar district of Haryana, India. The site was discovered in 1968 and is known for its Mesolithic remains. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 7000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery.
The Pachmarhi site is located in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh, India. The site was discovered in the 1970s and is known for its Mesolithic remains. The Mesolithic period at the site is dated to around 7000 BCE and is characterized by the use of microliths, bone tools, and pottery.

Mesolithic people in India lived in small settlements, consisting of huts or caves, and engaged in a variety of subsistence activities such as hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants. They used stone tools, such as microliths, blades, and scrapers, for various purposes such as cutting, scraping, and piercing. They also made pottery and practiced art, as evidenced by the rock paintings and engravings found at various Mesolithic sites in India.