palaeolithic-sites of Uttar Pradesh

Paleolithic Age of Uttar Pradesh

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Paleolithic Age

The Paleolithic Age marks the earliest chapter of human history, characterized by the use of rudimentary stone tools and a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Uttar Pradesh, with its diverse geography and geology, offers a fertile ground for exploring this age. Most findings pertain to the southern hilly tracts of the region, including the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges.

Geographical and Geological Features

Southern Uttar Pradesh, encompassing districts like Mirzapur, Banda, and Lalitpur, is the epicenter of Paleolithic research. The region’s topography includes the Vindhyan ranges, which host numerous rock shelters, and river valleys like the Belan and Son. These areas provided early humans with resources for survival and stone materials for tool-making.

The geological strata reveal formations from the Archean to the Recent Alluviums. The Vindhyan sandstones, rich in rock shelters, were pivotal for prehistoric habitation, while the alluvial deposits of the Quaternary period provide vital clues about Paleolithic life.

Major Archaeological Sites in Uttar Pradesh

1.Belan Valley, Allahabad:

  • This valley is considered one of the most important Paleolithic sites in India.
  • It has yielded evidence of all three phases of the Paleolithic Age: Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic.
  • Notable findings include stone tools, animal bones, and even a possible sculpture of a mother goddess.

2. Lalitpur District

  • Key Discovery: Acheulian industry artifacts, including hand axes and cleavers.
  • Importance: A prominent site showcasing early human technological advancements.

3. Son and Seoti Rivers

  • Findings: Stratified deposits revealing stone tools made from locally available quartzite.
  • Observation: Indications of tool evolution across different Paleolithic phases.

4. Lahchura (Jhansi)

  • Unique Feature: A factory site where raw materials were processed for tool-making.
  • Key Tools: Pebble tools of the chopper-chopping tradition.

5. Chakia (Varanasi)

  • Tools Found: Early flake tools and scrapers.
  • Importance: Provides insights into early human adaptation to the Gangetic plains.

Stratigraphy and Chronology

Belan Valley Stratigraphy

The Belan Valley offers a comprehensive stratigraphic record:

  • Cemented Gravels I and II: Associated with Lower and Middle Paleolithic tools.
  • Yellow Silts and Laterite Layers: Evidence of transitional phases leading to the Upper Paleolithic.
  • Microlith Layers: Mark the progression towards Mesolithic cultures.

Significance of River Sections

Deposits in the Son and Belan rivers reveal alternating layers of gravels and silts, indicating climatic fluctuations. These layers contain tools that help establish a relative chronology of human activity.

Stone Tool Typology

Lower Paleolithic Tools

  • Description: Hand axes, cleavers, and pebble tools.
  • Raw Materials: Quartzite and sandstone.
  • Sites: Lalitpur and Belan Valley.

Middle Paleolithic Tools

  • Description: Flake tools, denticulates, and scrapers.
  • Advancement: Transition from heavy-duty tools to more refined implements.
  • Sites: Son Valley and Vindhyan rock shelters.

Upper Paleolithic Tools

  • Description: Blades, burins, and microliths.
  • Significance: Indicate cognitive advancements and specialization.
  • Sites: Seoti and Mirzapur districts.

Human Adaptation and Lifestyle

  1. Hunting and Gathering:
    • Early humans relied on tools for hunting game and processing plants.
    • Rivers and rock shelters provided abundant resources.
  2. Shelter:
    • Rock shelters in Vindhyan ranges, such as those at Morhana Pahar, served as homes.
    • Evidence of fire usage in these shelters indicates advanced survival skills.
  3. Tool-Making:
    • Factory sites like Lahchura highlight systematic production and resource utilization.
  4. Social Organization:
    • Group hunting and food-sharing practices indicate nascent social structures.

Contributions of Archaeologists

  • J. Cockburn: Initiated research in the 19th century, uncovering tools in the Singrauli Basin.
  • G.R. Sharma (Allahabad University): Explored Belan Valley and Vindhyan shelters, providing a detailed chronology.
  • Deccan College, Pune: Conducted extensive studies in Lalitpur, enriching the understanding of Acheulian industries.

Challenges in Paleolithic Research

  • Urbanization: Encroachment on archaeological sites poses a threat to preservation.
  • Limited Excavations: Sparse excavations in Gangetic plains hinder comprehensive studies.
  • Lack of Paleoenvironmental Data: Inadequate paleontological and botanical evidence limits interpretations.