Tag: early man: the stone age

The Chalcolithic period, or Copper Age, was an era of transition between the stone tool-using farmers of the Neolithic and the metal-obsessed civilizations of the Bronze Age. The Copper Age was really a phenomenon of the eastern Mediterranean regions, and occurred from roughly 3500 to 2000 BCE. The people of the chalcolithic phase used different types of pottery, one of which is called black-and-red and seems to have been widely prevalent from nearly 2000 B.C. onwards. It was thrown on wheel and occasionally painted with white linear designs. Hence, Option A is correct. In India, it spanned around 2000 BC to 700 BC. Hence, 3000 BC is prior to the chalcolithic phase in India, 500 BC is post-chalcolithic phase, 1000 BC falls within the chalcolithic phase, hence, incorrect. 

The new evidence which comes from Harappa and Chanhu-daro show silk threads almost a millennium earlier than previously believed; the earliest find for silk in India was a thread found in Nevasa (1500 BCE). Now three silk fragments, which came from wild silk moth species, dated to the mature Harappan period (2600 – 1700 BCE) show that wild silk was used not just in China. Hence, Option A is correct.

The age which prevailed 2 million years ago is the oldest age and is called the Old Stone Age, and it stretched over a period of 12,000 years. This long duration has been classified into three stages is - the Early, Middle and Late Old Stone Ages. 

They reveal the awareness and the use of fire by the people of the Stone Age. Probably fire was used for various purposes to cook food, for light and safety from animals.

The period from 12,000 years to around 10,000 years is called the Middle Stone Age. The implements of this period are generally very small and hence they are called delicate stone implements. Man used to fashion handles from delicate stone for weapons made from bone and wood. He used those implements as axes and saws. These types of tools are also known as micro wears.

It is believed that 12,000 years ago a major change took place in the world’s environment. The earth’s temperature began to gradually increase. This led to the development of grasslands in many places. Birds and animals began to multiply in unprecedented numbers. Animals like deer, elks, goats, sheep and others prospered in these grasslands. 

There are many sites in which stone tool remains have been found. Most of these sites have been discovered along the banks of rivers and lakes. Furthermore, since stone implements were essential for the survival of people of that age, they chose areas abundant with the raw material which could fulfill their needs. Areas, where people used stones to create various implements, have been thought to be industrial sites or factory sites.