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Many Paleolithic tools such as axes, hammers, feelings. The spoken language of early people
scrapers, choppers, etc. have been found from was constantly growing and changing. New
Paleolithic sites at Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), technology and more complicated experiences,
Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh), Bori (Maharashtra) required new words.
and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh). These ‘artefacts’ Early people also expressed themselves through
or stone implements were used for various pur- art. Some of this art can still be seen today, even
poses — cutting trees, killing and skinning animals though it is thousands of years old. For example,
and chopping meat. in 1879 a young girl named Maria de Sautuola
wandered into a cave on her grandfather’s farm
near Altamira, Spain. She was startled by what
she discovered on the walls of that cave.
MESOLITHIC AGE
The Middle Stone Age lasted for a comparatively
short period of time. It was a transition period for
man. Most features of the Paleolithic period
continued. However, there were some new
developments.
Early-man’s Painting on the Wall of His Cave
During the Mesolithic period, man started mak-
Language and Art ing different types of tools. These tools, called
microliths, were smaller, sharper and more
Other advancements took place during the
efficient than the Paleolithic tools.
Paleolithic Age. One important advancement was
the development of spoken language. Up until Scrapers, borers, hammers, sickles and arrow-
this time, early people communicated through heads were made. The bow and arrow made it
sounds and physical gestures. Then, they began easy to hunt fast-moving animals. Hooks and
to develop language. baits improved fishing. Microliths have been
found at Adamgarh (Madhya Pradesh) and
Ancient people started to express themselves in
Bagor (Rajasthan). Besides stone, animal bones
words for the same reasons we do. We use
and horns were also used for making tools. Man
language to communicate information and
started making simple houses, though most
emotions. Language makes it easier for us to
people still lived in caves and rock shelters. Man
work together and to pass on knowledge. We
also began to domesticate animals. He domesti-
also use words to express our thoughts and
cated dog, goat, sheep and cattle.
CASE STUDY—THE DECCAN cleavers and scrapers amongst other tools. The
The Lower Paleolithic Age in India has been Acheulian sites of the Deccan are a good example
divided into two distinct cultures — the Soanian of the Paleolithic age in India.
and the Acheulian. The sites of the Soanian culture Tools Used
are found over parts of Pakistan and north-west Some scholars divide the sites of the acheulian
India. They are dominated by pebble tools. The culture into early Acheulian and Late Acheulian.
Acheulian sites are found over much of the rest
India, particularly the Deccan. These sites are This division is on the basis of the tools pro-
characterised by artefacts of flake—handaxes, duced. Thus, a predominance of handaxes,
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