From Hunting Gathering To Growing Food
Hunter-gatherers lived in the subcontinent about 2 million years ago.
They hunted wild animals, gathered food, and moved from place to place.
- Tools were made of wood, stones, and bones for hunting, chopping fruits, wood scraping, skin peeling, etc.
- Fire was used by them for cooking, heating, and scaring wild animals.
- Due change in climate around 12000 years ago grasslands developed.
- Herding, rearing animals like sheep, and goats, and fishing became common.
- Grain-bearing grasses like wheat, rice, and barley grew naturally and were later cultivated by people.
- Paleolithic sites have been found at Hunsgi.
- Different plants grow in different conditions.
- Different animals also require different environments.
- People became herders. The Dog was the first animal to be tamed along with sheep, goats, and cattle.
- Grains were stored in clay pots, woven baskets, etc. They were used as seeds or food.
- Animals were a source of food, milk, and meat.
- Evidence of burnt grain and remains of plants and animals at certain sites have been found.
- The site at Burzahom has evidence of pit houses dug into the ground.
- The period from 10,000 years ago has been termed the Neolithic period. Polished tools like mortar pestles have been found.
- Evidence shows that cotton could now be grown and cloth could be weaved.
- Herders and farmers lived in groups called tribes. They followed certain rituals and practices.
- Mehrgarh near Bolan Pass was one of the earliest villages. People grew wheat and barley.
- Excavations indicate different levels of development.
- Remains of houses have been found which were either rectangular or square.
- Several burial sites have been found where remains of goats etc. have been found.
- Excavation at Daojali Hading near Brahmaputra Valley shows remains of different tools and Jadeite, a stone probably brought from China.
From Hunting Gathering To Growing Food Keywords
From Hunting Gathering To Growing Food Date Line
Paleolithic Age 2 million years ago to 12000 years ago.
Mesolithic Age 12,000-10,000 years ago, Beginning of domestication
Neolithic Age 10,000 years ago
Settlement Near Mehrgarh about 8000 years ago