Hayat Ashraf

The periodization of Indian prehistory is typically divided into several broad chronological phases based on changes in material culture, technological advancements, and the emergence of new cultural practices. While there might be variations in the specific terminology and divisions used by different scholars, here is a general framework commonly used to understand the prehistoric periods in India: 1. Paleolithic Period: The Paleolithic period, also known as the Old Stone Age, is the earliest phase of human prehistory in India. It is further divided into three sub-periods: Lower Paleolithic (c. 2.6 million - 200,000 years ago), Middle Paleolithic (c. 200,000 - 40,000 years ago), and Upper Paleolithic (c. 40,000 - 10,000 years ago). During this time, early humans in India were primarily hunter-gatherers, using simple stone tools and living in caves or rock shelters. 2. Mesolithic Period: The Mesolithic period, or the Middle Stone Age, followed the Paleolithic and is estimated to have l...