Harappan culture is divided into various phases:
1. Early Harappan 3000-2600 BCE
2. Mature Harappan 2600-1900 BCE
3. Late Harappan 1900-1700 BCE.

1. The date of the Mesolithic culture varies in different parts of the world.
2. This culture is assigned to pre-agricultural times in certain areas.

1. It is the only existing fossil find of human ancestors in India.
2. The only well-known hominin fossil of India was found at Hathnora near Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh.

Palaeolithic period is divided into
1. Lower Palaeolithic culture
2. Middle Palaeolithic culture
3. Upper Palaeolithic culture.

The source for the study of pre-historic period include archaeological sites, geological sediments, animal bones and fossils, stone tools, bone tools, rock paintings and artefacts.

The Indus people worshipped nature.
1. They worshipped the pipal tree.
2. Some of the terracotta figures appear to be mother goddess.
3. Fire altars have been identified at Kalibangan.
4. They buried the dead. Burials were made elaborately and evidence of cremation is also reported.
5. The Harappan burials have pottery, ornaments,jewellery, copper mirrors and beads.

Craft production was an important part of the Harappan economy.
1. Bead and ornament making, shell bangle making and metal working were the major crafts.
2. They made beads and ornaments out of carnelian, jasper, crystal, and steatite, metals like copper, bronze and gold and shell, faience and terracotta or burnt clay.
3. The beads were made in innumerable designs and decorations.

Mesolithic sites in India are found in Paisra (Bihar), Langhnaj (Gujarat), Baghor II, Chopani Mando, Sarai Nahar Rai, Mahadaha and Damdama (all in Uttar Pradesh), Sankanakallu and Kibbanahalli (Karnataka). Rock shelter sites are found in Lekhakia, Baghai Khor, Adamgarh and Bhimbetka.

The Middle Palaeolithic culture in India is dated between 3,85,000 and 40,000 BCE.
1. The Middle Palaeolithic sites are found in Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna and other river valleys.
2. The main features of the Indian Middle Palaeolithic period include the following:
3. The tools became smaller.
4. The decrease in the use of hand axes in relation to other tools.
5. Use of core preparation techniques in stone tool production.
6. Use of chert, jasper, chalcedony and quartz as raw materials.

Based on research, two independent cultural traditions of hand axe (Acheulian) and pebble-flake (Sohanian) industries were, confirmed in India. Acheulian industry mainly had hand axes and cleavers.
1. The Sohan industry is considered to have used only chopper and chopping tools.
2. The Sohan industry gets its name from the Sohan river valley of Pakistan.
3. These two cultural traditions are not considered distinct any longer.
4. Recent studies argue that there was no independent Sohan tradition as Acheulian tools are found in the Sohan industry as well.

1. Neolithic culture in Kashmir region was contemporary to the Harappan civilisation.
2. Two phases of Neolithic culture have been identified. They are termed aceramic and ceramic phases.
3. Aceramic phase did not have evidence of ceramics.
4. Ceramic phase shows evidence for the existence of pottery.
5. Seeds of wheat, barley, common pea and lentil have been recovered from the excavations.
6. People domesticated animals include cattle, sheep, goat, pig, dog and fowl.
7. Bones of wild animals such as red deer, Kashmir stag, ibex, bear and wolf suggest that they hunted animals.

The period before the development of script is called the pre-historic times. It is also referred to as the Stone Age.
1. Human ancestors are likely to have first evolved in Africa and later migrated to different parts of the world.
2. The earliest human ancestor species to migrate out of Africa was the Homo erectus.
3. Generally, the period before the invention of script is broadly divided into Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.
4. The earliest age in history is called Old Stone Age or Palaeolithic.
5. This period is divided into
6. Lower Palaeolithic culture
7. Middle Palaeolithic culture
8. Upper Palaeolithic culture.
9. The period after the Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic) is called the Mesolithic Age.
10. The period that followed the Mesolithic is called the Neolithic Age.
11. This is the age in which animal and plant domestication developed, leading to food production.