Introduction
- Floods Uncover Historical Artifacts: The recent floods in Mulugu district, Telangana, have led to the discovery of Paleolithic quartzite tools, shedding new light on the region’s ancient human habitation.
- Discovery by Amateur Historians: The tools were found in a dried-up stream bed by a team led by Sriramoju Haragopal, an amateur historian.
About Paleolithic Age
| Details | |
| Timeframe | Approximately 2.6 million years ago to about 10,000 BCE. |
| Characteristics | Marked by the use of stone tools by early humans. Tools were mainly hand axes, cleavers, and choppers. |
| Major Sites |
|
| Lifestyle | Nomadic hunter-gatherers; relied on hunting animals and gathering plants for food. |
| Cultural Developments | Development of basic stone tools and control of fire. |
| Art and Symbolism | Evidence of early art found in Bhimbetka rock shelters, with paintings and engravings. |
| Climate and Environment | Varied climatic conditions over millennia; included ice ages and warmer periods. |
| Human Species | Mainly Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. |
Details of the Discovery
- Location of Find: The hand axes were discovered between Gurrevula and Bhupatipuram villages in Mulugu district.
- Specific Find: Researchers found a significant stone axe measuring 15.5 cm in length, 11 cm in width, and 5.5 cm in thickness.
Context and Comparison
- Global Significance: Similar hand axes have been discovered worldwide, indicating a common tool type used by early humans for various purposes.
- Historical Context in India: The first discovery of a Paleolithic site in India was in 1863 at Attirampakkam near Madras (now Chennai), with bifacial hand-axes dating back to about 15 lakh years, known as the Madras Hand-Axe Industry or Madrasian Culture.
Historical Significance
- Paleolithic Era Tools: According to paleontologists, the stone axe dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period, approximately 30 lakh years ago.
- Tool Identification: The tools were identified based on their chipping style, material, and size, typical of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers who used heavy quartzite for large tools.
