Earliest presence of man in India.

India has been an essential part of the migration of human beings (and hominids) out of Africa. That is why so many distinct races( so called) of people inhabit the sub-continent.

The earliest proved presence of man (humans and hominids) in India date back from 250,000BC, indicated by the presence of stone tools. Recent discoveries of artefacts from Bori in Maharashtra could push this date to 1.4 million years.

Stone tools have been discovered throughout India except for the alluvial plain of Indus, Yamuna and Ganga.

The Stone Age in India is divided into three phases based on the nature of tools discovered.

a)      First phase: 500k BC to 50k BC. Use of Hand axes, cleavers and choppers. Sites have been found throughout India, from Punjab and Thar Desert to Bhimbetkar near Bhopal and Attirampakkam near Chennai. (These are generally related to Homo Erectus. )

Ex- Sohanian and Acheulian Culture.

b)      Second phase: 50k BC to 40K BC. Usage of flakes in blades, points and borers. These tools have been found in the basin of Narmada and Tungabhadra Rivers and Rajasthan. (These are generally related to Neanderthals though no proof of existence of Neanderthals has appeared in India.)

Rare due to development during extreme cold and arid climate. Use of Chert stone; Chert factories.

c)       Third phase: 40k to 10k BC. Usage of blades and burins. Sites have been found in Rajashtan ( with large presence of ostrich egg shells), Famous world heritage site of Bhimbetka near Bhopal, southern Ganges basin and southern india.

Characterised by presence of human beings in hill slopes and river valleys while absent in river valleys. Presence of Bored stones and Grinding stones. First art on forms on walls and utensils.

* Note: the images are for reference and may not have relation to actual indian sites from the period.