NEW DELHI:
New evidence
of a
settlement
dated to the Paleolithic, or
Old Stone Age
has been discovered in the
Aravali hills
by a
doctoral scholar
from
Delhi University. Shalaish Baisla has found stone tools such as blades and petroglyphs and stone carvings ranging from the lower to the upper Paleolithic Age.
Baisla, when pursuing his degree in archaeology from Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, conducted an ethno-archaeological study on the Gurjar tribe of Delhi and chanced upon the villages of Kot and Mangar in Faridabad, close to the Delhi border, where he made some interesting discoveries. “I found the first stone hand-ax there and while I was aware of Paleolithic sites nearby, I hadn’t known of Kot village as being one. The stone tools we found are in comparatively corroded condition because of continuous erosion by the seasonal river water,” the PhD scholar said.
In Mangar village, Baisla’s investigations unearthed, for the first time, rock shelters from the Middle Paleolithic period, or 3,00,00-5,00,00 years ago, the dating based on tools found there.
Baisla said, “We found many petroglyphs in Kot village consisting of cupules, graffiti marks and uncommon hand and footprints of humans, animals, bird and fish engraved into horizontal quartzite slabs.” He said similar prehistoric art existed at Bhimbetka and Dharaki-Chattan in Madhya Pradesh.
The tools discovered include hand axes, pebble tools, borers, blades and other implements. “There has to be more research in this area soon and the location needs to be protected too,” said the resident of Kotla Mubarakpur.
According to Professor Manoj Kumar Singh of DU’s anthropology department, “Baisla’s discoveries are remarkable examples of Indian prehistory.” He explained
that when the human species left Africa during the Pleistocene epoch, one group migrated to the east via Iran and entered India from the north-western area of the subcontinent. “They must have landed in the Aravali region and cultural evidence now suggests they stayed there for a long time before migrating to the southern peninsula.”
The professor also claimed that the findings of flakes and core tools were proof being made available for the first time of “Mode I industry”, or the earliest stone implements made by the genus Homo. “We need more extensive exploration and excavation throughout the Aravali hills,” Singh added.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.