Neolithic Age (Food-Producing Stage)

• Neolithic Age (Food-Producing Stage): Emerged in northern India around 8000–6000 BCE and in southern/eastern India as late as 1000 BCE.
• Termed Neolithic Revolution by V. Gordon Childe due to its significant innovations.

Key Innovations:

• Advent of food production: Neolithic man began agriculture (growing ragi, horse gram) and domesticated cattle, sheep, goats.
• Technological advancements:
  • Used polished, pecked, and ground stone tools (e.g., celts for handaxes).
  • Types of axes used indicated distinct regions of settlements:
    • North-Western: Rectangular axes with curved cutting edge.
    • North-Eastern: Polished stone axes with rectangular butt.
    • Southern: Axes with oval sides and pointed butt.
• Invention of pottery: Pottery made first by hand, later with potter’s wheel; types include black burnished ware, grey ware, and mat-impressed ware.
• Emergence of self-sufficient village communities: Settled life in circular/rectangular mud and reed houses; knowledge of boat making, spinning cotton/wool, and weaving cloth.
• Division of labour based on sex and age; non-kin groups also contributed labor.

Important Neolithic Sites:

• • Burzahom (Jammu & Kashmir): Unique rectangular chopper, dogs buried with masters.
  • Gufkraal (J&K): Known for pit dwelling, stone tools, and household graveyards.
  • Maski, Brahmagiri, Piklihal, Budihal, Tekkalakota (Karnataka): Evidence of cattle herding and community feasting.
  • Paiyampalli (Tamil Nadu), Utnur (Andhra Pradesh).
  • Garo Hills (Meghalaya), Chirand (Bihar): Bone implements, especially antlers.
  • Mehrgarh (Baluchistan, Pakistan): Earliest Neolithic site, known as the Breadbasket of Baluchistan.
  • Koldihwa, Mahagara (UP, south of Allahabad): Earliest evidence of rice cultivation.
  • Chopani-Mando, Belan Valley: Earliest evidence of pottery.

• Belan Valley and Narmada Valley: Evidence of Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic settlements.