Definition: Derived from Greek, “palaeo” means old, and “lithic” refers to stone. The term signifies the Old Stone Age, spanning the Pleistocene period, around two million years ago.

• Pleistocene Period: Marked by extensive glaciation, with life mainly thriving in tropical regions post-ice melt.

Subsistence Patterns During  Palaeolithic Age

• Lifestyle: Nomadic, dependent on stone tools for hunting and protection.
• Diet: Relied on hunting animals and gathering fruits and roots.
• Habitation: Preferred caves, rock shelters, and areas near water bodies (e.g., Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh).
• Resource Use: Efficient use of natural resources sustained their hunting-gathering lifestyle.
• Material Culture: Tool materials varied based on regional availability.

Phases of Palaeolithic Culture

• Lower Palaeolithic: 500,000–10,000 BCE.
• Middle Palaeolithic: Characterized by flake tools.
• Upper Palaeolithic: Advanced tools and cave art.

Archaeological Evidence of  Palaeolithic Age

• Open-Air Sites: Found near rivers and foothills across India.
• Caves/Rock Shelters: Examples include Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) and Kurnool caves (Andhra Pradesh).
• Notable Tool Sites: Include Kashmir Valley, Sohan Valley (Pakistan), and Luni (Rajasthan).

Lower Palaeolithic Age

• Tools: Heavy and rough hand axes, cleavers, and choppers, evolving into sharper designs.
• Soanian Tradition: Pebble tools made by flaking, found in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
• Acheulian Tradition: Advanced hand-axes and cleavers made from quartzite, limestone, and basalt.
• Key Sites:
  1. Attirampakkam (Tamil Nadu): Acheulian tools.
  2. Isampur (Karnataka): Limestone tools.
  3. Chirki-Nevasa (Maharashtra): Dolerite tools.

Middle Palaeolithic Age

• Characteristics: Smaller, lighter flake tools. H.D. Sankalia identified these tools at Nevasa (Maharashtra).
• Key Sites:
  1. Didwana (Rajasthan).
  2. Potwar Plateau (Indus-Jhelum rivers).
  3. Sanghao Cave (Pakistan).

Upper Palaeolithic Age

• Advancements: Introduction of blade tools and bone implements.
• Art: Cave paintings at Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) depicting daily life and subsistence.
• Key Sites:
  1. Rohiri Hills (Sindh).
  2. Chopani Mando (Belan Valley).
  3. Kurnool caves (Andhra Pradesh).