The Mesolithic Age

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Overview
The Mesolithic Age, which means Middle Stone Age, was the second part of the Stone Age. This age is
characterized by the use of Microliths (small bladed stone tools).
Key points related to this period are as following:
In India, it spanned around 9,000 B.C. to 4,000 B.C. This age was a transitional phase between the
Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age
The people of this age lived on hunting, fishing, and food gathering initially but later on they also
domesticated animals
The characteristic tools of this age were Microliths
The people of this age practised painting. The paintings depicted birds, animals, and human beings. A
considerable number of painted rock shelters have been found in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh
Mesolithic sites have been found in Rajasthan, south of the river Krishna, central and eastern parts of India,
and also in southern Uttar Pradesh
Bagor in Rajasthan and Adamgarh in Madhya Pradesh are examples of Mesolithic sites in India
In Detail
The Mesolithic Age (9000 BC to 4000 BC), which means Middle Stone Age, was the second part of the Stone Age.
This age is characterized by the appearance of Microliths (small bladed stone tools).
This age was a transitional phase between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. The people of this age lived on
hunting, fishing, and food gathering and later on they also domesticated animals. Thus, it has the characteristics of
both the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.
The word Mesolithic is a combination of Meso+lithic. The word Meso means middle. It is a Greek word. The word
lithic is related to the use of stone implements in a specified cultural period. It originated from the Greek word
lithikos which means stone.
Chronology
In India, it spanned around 9000 B.C. to 4000 B.C.
Characteristics
The Mesolithic Age was a transitional phase between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. It has the
characteristics of both the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. The people of this age lived on hunting, fishing, and
food gathering while at a later stage they also domesticated animals.
Tools: The people of this age used microliths.
Art: The people of this age practiced painting. Their paintings depicted birds, animals, and human beings.
Geographical Location
In India, Mesolithic sites have been found south of the river Krishna, Rajasthan, southern Uttar Pradesh as well as

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in central and eastern parts of India.

Successor
The Mesolithic Age was succeeded by the Neolithic Age.
The list of Mesolithic sites, their locations, and characteristics are given below:
Name of Mesolithic
Sites

Location

Characteristics

Bagor

Rajasthan

It had a microlithic industry and its people lived on hunting and

pastoralism.

Adamgarh

Madhya Pradesh

It shows the earliest evidence for the domestication of animals.

Bhimbetka

Madhya Pradesh

It has more than 500 painted rock shelters.

Langhnaj

Gujarat

Provides the earliest evidence of burial of the dead.

Mohrana Pahara

Mirzapur, Uttar
Pradesh

Provides the earliest evidence of burial.

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