Microliths

Mesolithic is a transitional stage between Palaeolithic and Neolithic, falling between hunting-gathering and food-producing societies. 

Relative Chronology

• In the Indian Subcontinent, the Mesolithic period can be placed between 10,000 BP and 5,000 BP.
• It is also known as Epipalaeolithic. For a time, the Mesolithic was not considered a separate phase as it is perceived as a transition phase between the Palaeolithic and Neolithic.
• Outside the Indian Subcontinent, the Mesolithic Phase is often absent, with cultures transitioning directly from Palaeolithic to Neolithic.
• Among the prehistoric periods, it is the shortest phase.

• At the end of the Pleistocene and the start of the Holocene, a major shift was observed in the toolkit of prehistoric people. They started using very small tools known as Microliths.
• Mesolithic tools are known as Microliths because they are tools of very small stones. Microliths range in length from under 1 cm to 5 cm.

• Some of these tools are miniature versions of Palaeolithic tools like burins, points, and scrapers. But tools in regular geometric shapes, like crescents, triangles, lunates etc., also came to the scene.

• For the first time, we find bone tools as part of the Mesolithic tool kit.
• For the first time, we also find composite tools, i.e. tools hafted, singly or in large numbers, onto wooden or bone handles to make spearheads, arrowheads, sickles, etc.

• Around 10,000 years Before Present, the climate changed to the Holocene from Pleistocene.
• The characteristics of the Holocene include
  1. Warm and wet climate
  1. More space was available for human habitation (as ice melted)
  2. Availability of new resources like new crops (in wild form) and small and swift animals (fit for human consumption).
  3. Expansion of forests and grasslands into previously arid areas
  4. Human groups became highly mobile and began to occupy various ecozones.

• The period saw the spread of settlements to new ecological niches. There were many sites in the Ganga Valley and lesser sites in Peninsular India. This was the result of
  • An increase in population due to favourable environmental conditions
  • Due to smaller tools, they require stones in small amounts, which they get using various transport channels.
• Some evidence of artificial habitational structures associated with the Mesolithic Age has been found in Belan Valley. However, the evidence is indirect, as the structures have not survived.

• This period saw the beginning of the Burial System.
• Grave goods were also placed in the burials.
• Double burials, i.e. a man and a woman were buried together, have also been found.

Mesolithic sites in India include

Portable Art

Mesolithic people created small and easily movable objects with artistic or decorative significance. These included

1. Engraved bones found at Bhimbetka
2. Human teeth with geometric marks on it 
3. Hole in teeth, possibly to be used as pendants or amulets.
4. Ostrich shell with designs on it  

Paintings

• Famous Sites: Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) is the most famous and extensively studied site of Mesolithic rock paintings. Mesolithic paintings are also found in Ezuthu Guha (Kerala) and various sites in Odisha.
• Material Used:
  • Colours were created by grinding minerals found in the region (like Ochre, Charcoal, etc.)
  • Brush was made out of squirrel tail and animal fur.
• Things shown in the painting include
  • Animals like leopards, tigers, panthers, and rhinoceroses dominate the scene.   
  • Hunting scenes depicting both individual and group hunting activities.
  • Women are depicted as gathering and preparing food.