Introduction to Prehistory and Protohistory

• Prehistory and protohistory mark the earliest phases of human evolution and cultural development, prior to the advent of written records. 
• These periods reveal significant milestones in human history, providing a glimpse into our ancestors’ lives through archaeological findings.

What is Prehistory?

• Definition:

  • Prehistory refers to the period before written records, encompassing the biological and cultural evolution of humankind up to the start of recorded history.
  • It covers the cultural developments of early humans, reconstructed solely from archaeological discoveries.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Humans lived a nomadic lifestyle, primarily relying on hunting wild animals and gathering plant foods for sustenance.
  • The first evidence of prehistoric humans in India was discovered by Dr. Primrose at Lingsugur in the Raichur Doab, Karnataka.
  • Sir Mortimer Wheeler played a significant role in placing India on the global prehistory map by introducing scientific excavation methods.
  • H.D. Sankalia and his colleagues were pioneers in Indian Paleolithic studies. Sankalia’s book, Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan (1974), offers a detailed synthesis of this era.

• Division of Prehistory:

  • Prehistory is categorized into three major phases based on advancements in tool-making and hunting-foraging techniques:
    • Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age): Early tools and rudimentary hunting techniques.
    • Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age): Transitionary improvements in tools and lifestyle.
    • Neolithic (New Stone Age): Advanced tools and the rise of agriculture.

What is Protohistory?

• Definition:

  • Protohistory represents the transitional phase between prehistory and recorded history, spanning the third millennium BCE to the early first millennium BCE.

• Characteristics:

  • This period saw the rise of Neolithic-Chalcolithic communities engaged in agriculture and animal domestication.
  • Settlements were characterized by small villages, cultivation of crops such as wheat, barley, rice, and millets, and domestication of animals like cattle and sheep.
  • Craftsmanship and artistic expressions began to emerge during this period, signifying early societal organization.

What is the Quaternary Period?

• Geological Insights:

  • Geologists have divided the Earth’s crust evolution into four phases, with the final one known as the Quaternary Period.
  • The Quaternary Period marks a crucial phase in Earth’s history, characterized by glacial-interglacial cycles, environmental changes, and significant human evolution.

• Quaternary Period Details:

  • Began approximately 40 million years ago, leading to dramatic climatic and environmental changes.
  • Includes two major epochs:
    • Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million years ago – 11,700 years ago):
      • Known as the Ice Age, this epoch saw vast glacial coverage across the Earth.
    • Holocene Epoch (12,000 years ago – Present):
      • Marked by human-induced global changes, coinciding with the rise of the Neolithic Age.

Human Evolution and Cultural Development

• Stages of Human Evolution:

  • The earliest human ancestors, termed Homo habilis, resembled monkeys and represent the initial stage of human evolution.
  • The next significant phase introduced Homo erectus, who appeared around 1.8 to 1.7 million years ago, marked by advancements in cultural behavior and anatomy.
  • The Acheulian tradition, associated with Homo erectus, signaled a major cultural leap.
  • Over time, humans refined themselves, leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens.

• Archaeological Evidence:

  • Through vertical excavation methods, archaeologists uncovered stone tools and other implements used by early humans.
  • These findings led to the classification of prehistory as the “Stone Age.”

The Three Phases of the Stone Age

Divisions of the Stone Age: The Stone Age is divided into three periods based on technological and cultural advancements:

• Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age):
  • Characterized by rudimentary stone tools and a nomadic lifestyle.

• Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age):
  • Marked by improvements in tools, hunting techniques, and the gradual domestication of plants and animals.

• Neolithic (New Stone Age):
  • Featured polished stone tools, settled agricultural communities, and the emergence of societal structures.