Prehistoric Sites of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan
This section provides brief state wise information on important Prehistoric sites of India with very important archaeological findings belong to Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Some of them have evidences of multiple periods.
Afghanistan
Kara Kamar
Kara Kamar is an upper Palaeolithic site in Afghanistan excavated by Carleton Coon in 1954. It was first site in South Asia whose artefacts were dated by carbon dating. It is a rock-shelter site located within the northernmost folds of the Hindu Kush Mountains. The tools obtained in this site are at least 34000 years old.
Mundigak & Deh Morsai Ghundai
Urbanization began in Afghanistan around 3000 BC. Deh Morsai Ghundai and Mundigak are one of the oldest urban centers of Afghanistan.
Pakistan
Mehrgarh
Mehrgarh is one of the earliest Neolithic sites in South Asia, known for its early evidence of farming, animal domestication, and complex social structures. Mehrgarh has given oldest evidence in human history for the drilling of teeth in a living person.
Riwat / Rawat
Riwat or Rawat in Punjab, Pakistan provides evidences of the earliest Homo occupation outside Africa and dates back to 1.9 million years ago. The site was discovered in 1983. The artefacts found at the site consist of flakes and cores made on quartzite. The artefacts found here belong to lower to upper Palaeolithic period (about 45000 years ago).
Soan Valley
Soan River is a tributary of Indus the name of this culture is after Soan Valley. Soan Culture (also known as Soanian / Sohan culture) are Palaeolithic sites, located in Shivalik region of current India, Pakistan and Nepal.
Amri
Amri is located in Sindh of Pakistan. This is a pre-Harappan site and a loosely defined cultural assemblage also known as Amri Culture.
Other prehistoric sites of Pakistan include Timargarh, Rana Ghundai, Anjira, Ghaligai Cave, Ghumla etc.
Andhra Pradesh
Nagajunakonda
Nagajunakonda is an important Lower Paleolithic site with a rich collection of artifacts. Excavations here have revealed crucial insights into early human life and technological advancements in Andhra Pradesh.
Jwalapuram
Jwalapuram is a Paleolithic site in Kurnool district where evidence of human occupation dating back to 74,000 years ago has been found. It is important for studying human survival after the Toba super volcano eruption. Yielded Middle and Upper Paleolithic stone tools.
Renigunta
Renigunta is an important Mesolithic site in Andhra Pradesh, known for its extensive collection of microliths and evidence of early human habitation.
Assam
Daojali Hading
This is a 2,700-year-old Neolithic site in Assam and is first stratified Neolithic site in Northeast India. Yielded shouldered celts and cord-marked pottery. Cord-marked pottery suggests East/Southeast Asian cultural links.
Bihar
In Bihar the important stone age sites include Munger and Nalanda (Paleolithic age); Mesolithic age (Middle stone age); Chirand in Saran district and Chechar in Vaishali district (Mesolithic and Neolithic) sites.
Chhattisgarh
Singhanpur (Raigarh district)
This site is located 33 km northwest of Raigarh and has is known for rock paintings depicting man riding ladder, animal figures, hunting scenes.
Chitrakot
This site is located on Indravati river near Chitrakot falls. The site is known for microliths and rock paintings in limestone caves.
Gujarat
Umreth
Umreth is an important Lower Paleolithic site in Gujarat, known for its extensive collection of tools made from locally available materials. The artifacts suggest early human adaptation to the region’s environment and resources.
Visadi
This site is notable for its Lower Paleolithic tools, including hand axes and cleavers. Visadi provides significant insights into early human technology and settlement patterns in Gujarat.
Langhnaj
One of the most significant Mesolithic sites in India, Langhnaj in Gujarat is renowned for its microliths, burials, and faunal remains. The site provides valuable insights into the lifestyle and subsistence strategies of early human communities.
Loteshwar
Known for its Mesolithic artifacts, Loteshwar provides evidence of early human settlement and adaptation to the semi-arid environment of Gujarat. The site has yielded numerous microliths and faunal remains.
Pawagarh
Pawagarh is an important Mesolithic site with a rich collection of microliths and other artifacts. Excavations have revealed evidence of early human technology and settlement patterns in Gujarat.
Rangpur
Rangpur is a significant Chalcolithic site in Gujarat, known for its distinctive pottery, including the Lustrous Red Ware, and evidence of early agricultural practices.
Jammu & Kashmir
Burzahom
Burzahom is one of the most significant Neolithic sites in India, known for its pit dwellings, megaliths, and tools made of bone and stone. The site reveals evidence of early agricultural practices, domestication of animals, and social organization in the Kashmir Valley.
Gufkral
Located near Burzahom, Gufkral is notable for its evidence of early agricultural practices and pit dwellings. The site has yielded numerous Neolithic tools and artifacts.
Karnataka
Lingsugur
Lingsugur in Raichur district, Karnataka was one first site to be discovered from India. It has continuous developments from prehistoric to historic times.
Hunasagi
This site is located on banks of River Hungsi, Yadgir District. It is an important Paleolithic site, that has revealed early Acheulean tools, dwelling structures etc.
Sanganakallu
In Karnataka, Sanganakallu is an important stone age site located 8 km from Bellary, covering 1,000 acres. It is one of the earliest settlements in South India with settlements randing from meslithic to neolithic ages Large numbers of microliths, pottery, stone axes, and other stone tools have been found. The site is considered a Neolithic factory due to the abundance of artifacts found during surface excavations.
Brahmagiri
Brahmagiri is a Neolithic-Megalithic site in Chitradurga district excavated by Mortimer Wheeler in 1947. It has revealed evidence of three cultural periods: Neolithic, Megalithic, and early historical. Neolithic artifacts include polished stone axes, microliths, and pottery
Kupgal petroglyphs
This site is located in Bellary district and features rock art dating back to the Neolithic period (3000-1000 BCE). Petroglyphs depict various animals, human figures, and geometric designs. Site also has evidence of stone tool production.
Piklihal
Piklihal is a Neolithic site in Raichur district of Karnataka excavated by F.R. Allchin in the 1950s. It has revealed a sequence from Mesolithic to Neolithic periods and is notable for its ash mounds, believed to be remnants of cattle pens.
Tekkalakote
It is a Neolithic-Chalcolithic site in Bellary district excavated in the 1960s. It has revealed a cultural sequence from Neolithic to Early Iron Age. Notable for its stone tools, pottery, and evidence of early metal working.
Brahmagiri
Brahmagiri, an archaeological site in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district, is renowned for its abundant megalithic monuments. The site’s earliest settlement dates back to at least the 2nd millennium BC. Excavations have revealed evidence of multiple cultural periods, including Microlithic, Neolithic, Iron Age, Maurya, and Chalukya-Hoysala.
Archaeologist Amlanandan Ghosh coined the term “Roppa culture” for the microlithic findings, named after the village where the relevant trench was discovered. His research also indicated that the neolithic artifacts found in the area suggest the presence of farming and herding communities prior to the megalithic period.
Maski
Maski is in Raichur district of Karnataka on the bank of the Maski river which is a tributary of the Tungabhadra. Excavations revealed four cultural periods: Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Early Historic, and Medieval. Notable finds include megalithic burials, iron and gold objects, pottery like Black-and-Red ware, and an Ashokan edict. The site was occupied from around 1100-1000 BCE to 3rd century CE. Maski’s location in a mineral-rich zone, especially gold, made it an important settlement. It may have been the Suvarnagiri (gold hill) mentioned in Ashokan edicts. The site came into limelight with the discovery of a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka.
Hallur
Hallur in Karnataka has shown transition from Neolithic to Megalithic periods. Excavations revealed early use of iron, dated to around 1100-1000 BCE, possibly even earlier (1200 BCE). The site shows stratigraphic continuity from the early Iron Age to the beginning of the Christian era. Hallur is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
T. Narasipur
- Narasipur is notable for its Neolithic artifacts, including tools and pottery.
Hirebenakal
Hirebenakal is a megalithic site in Koppal district of Karnataka. It contains roughly 400 megalithic funerary monuments, that have been dated to the transition period between Neolithic period and the Iron Age.
Kerala
Edakkal caves
- Located in Wayanad district
- Contain petroglyphs dating back to the Neolithic period (5000 BCE)
- Rock carvings include human and animal figures, tools, and symbols
- Evidence of multiple periods of prehistoric occupation
Chovvanur burial cave
- Situated in Palakkad district
- Megalithic burial site from the Iron Age (1000 BCE – 500 CE)
- Contains rock-cut chambers and burial urns
- Provides insights into prehistoric burial practices
Jalahalli
Located in Kerala, Jalahalli is notable for its Mesolithic artifacts, including microliths and blade tools.
Madhya Pradesh
Bhimbetka
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bhimbetka is famous for its rock shelters and prehistoric cave paintings belonging to Paleolithic, Mesolithic as well as Neolithic period. The site contains extensive Lower Paleolithic tools, including hand axes and choppers.
Adamgarh
Adamgarh Hills in Hosangabad district of Madhya Pradesh is known for its pre-historic rock shelters, paintings and Stone age artifacts. The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been provided by Adamgarh.
Baghor
Baghor Mesolithic site is located in Son river valley in Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh. It was excavated in 1980 and is noted for a Triangular sandstone with yellow pigment. It has upper palaeolithic to Mesolithic settlements.
Kayatha
Kayatha is an important Chalcolithic site in Madhya Pradesh, known for its distinctive Kayatha ware pottery, copper tools, and evidence of early agricultural practices.
Navdatoli
Located near Maheshwar, Navdatoli is notable for its Chalcolithic settlements, distinctive pottery, and copper tools.
Maharashtra
Important stone age sites in Maharashtra are located in the river beds/ valleys of Godavari, Krishna, Bhima, Tapi, Anjra, Ghod, Vainganga, Painganga, Wardha etc. rivers. The important sites include Nandur Madhmeshwar near Nasik, Nevase, Patane and Manegaon near Jalgaon; Gharapuri and Pachad in Raigad district, Hatkhamba in Ratnagiri district and Papamiya Tekadi in Wardha district.
Inamgaon
Inamgaon is a key Lower Paleolithic site with an extensive collection of tools.
Nevasa
Nevasa site (Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra) in the valley of river Godavari provides settlements from the Paleolithic period to the Middle Ages. Apart from the Paleolithic tools such as scrappers, borers, this site is also known for a settled agricultural culture dated to the second millennium B.C. similar to Harappa civilization. It was also known as Nevasan Culture.
Jorwe
Jorwe is a significant Chalcolithic site in Maharashtra, known for its distinctive pottery, including the red-and-black ware, and evidence of early agricultural practices.
Daimabad:
Located in Ahmednagar district, Daimabad is known for its large Chalcolithic settlement, rich collection of artifacts, including bronze objects, and extensive evidence of agricultural practices.
Odisha
Kuchai and Golbai Sasan
Kuchai in Mayurbhanj district is an important Mesolithic site in Odisha, known for its microlithic tools and evidence of early human settlement. Another important site is Golbai Sasan, located on the banks of Mandakini River.
Gudahandi
Gudahandi or Gudahandi Hills is located in Kalahandi district has rock art shelter exhibits both monochrome and bi-chrome paintings of Mesolithic and neolithic period.
Punjab
Soan Valley
Situated in Punjab of India, Pakistan and also some sites in Nepal, the Soan Valley is one of the most important Lower Paleolithic sites, with a rich collection of artifacts such as hand axes and cleavers.
Rajasthan
Didwana
Didwana in Nagaur district of Rajasthan is renowned for its Acheulian tools, including hand axes and cleavers. Excavations reveal evidence of early human habitation, making it one of the key Lower Paleolithic sites in India. The tools suggest advanced techniques and adaptation to the arid environment of the region.
Budha Pushkar
This site has yielded numerous Lower Paleolithic artifacts, including tools made from locally available quartzite. It provides significant insights into early human technology and habitation patterns in the Rajasthan region.
Jayal
Known for its rich collection of Lower Paleolithic tools, Jayal offers crucial evidence of early human activities and tool-making skills in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan.
Tilwara
Tilwara in Barmer district of Rajasthan is located on Luni River. It is one of the most important Mesolithic settlements in India.
Bagor
Bagor, located on the river Kothari is one of the largest Mesolithic site in India and has been horizontally excavated. Bagor has three cultural phases. On the basis; of radiocarbon dating phase I or the earliest phase of culture has been placed between 5000-2000 B.C. Here Mesolithic five human skeletons which were buried in a planned manner.
Sites of Ahar Banas Culture
The sites of Ahar-Banas Culture were Aahar, Balathal, Gilund etc in the vicinity of Banas river in southern Rajasthan. It was a predominantly Chalcolithic archaeological culture that existed approximately 3000 to 1500 BCE. It was contemporary with the Indus Valley Civilization; has shown advanced metallurgy, agriculture, and trade connections to other contemporary cultures.
Tamil Nadu
Attirampakkam
Attirampakkam is one of the most important stone age sites in Tamil Nadu located in Kortallayar River Basin. Here, sequence of Lower, Middle & Upper Paleolithic cultures, India’s oldest stone age tools (~1.5 million years), Acheulean artefacts (handaxes, cleavers) have been found. It is one of the oldest Paleolithic sites in India.
Pallavaram (Madrasian Culture)
Robert Bruce Foote first discovered Old Stone Age implements at Pallavaram near Chennai. This was the first stone age site of Tamil Nadu discovered and Robert Bruce Foote called it Madrasian culture.
Attirampakkam
Simple hand axes and pieces of stone tools from the Old Stone Age were found in the valley of river Koratalayar near Chennai. This site provides evidence of early human tool-making and habitation in the region.
Adhichanallur
This site in Tirunelveli district yielded important archaeological finds from the Iron Age/Megalithic period. Excavations revealed burial urns containing bronze articles, iron implements, and other artifacts. The discovery of tridents (vel) in some urns suggests worship of Lord Muruga.
Arikamedu
Located near Pondicherry, excavations at Arikamedu by Mortimer Wheeler revealed evidence of Roman trade contacts. Roman pottery, glass bowls, gems and coins were found here, confirming trade links between Tamil Nadu and the Roman Empire during the early historical period.
Uttar Pradesh
Sarai Nahar Rai
Known for its extensive Mesolithic settlement, Sarai Nahar Rai in Uttar Pradesh was discovered in 1968. It has shown Mesolithic artifacts, faunal remains and 15 human skeletons.
Mahadaha
Mahadaha site in Uttar Pradesh was excavated in 1978-79 and is located 110 km from Sarai Nahar Rai. It has 35 well-preserved fossil hominid skeletons and evidence of early human settlement. Excavations have revealed significant insights into the technology and subsistence strategies of Mesolithic communities.
Hastinapur:
Hastinapur is a significant Chalcolithic site known for its distinctive pottery, copper tools, and evidence of early agricultural practices..
Atranjikhera
Atranjikhera is notable for its extensive Chalcolithic settlements, distinctive pottery, and copper tools.
West Bengal
The Neolithic culture took place in five major river valleys, namely Ajay-Mayurakshi river valley, Dwarakeswar-Damodar river valley, Gandheswari river valley, Tarafeni river valley and Subarnarekha river valley. Also a Neolithic culture developed in Kalimpong.
