Paleolithic Sites of India – Hunting and Food Gathering Stage

1. Sohan Valley

Sohan Valley is located in the northwest of Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan. The oldest evidence of human activity in Pakistan has been found in the Soan River valley. The Soan Valley area is believed to have originated during the Stone Age. Soanian artifacts are made from quartzite pebbles, cobbles, and boulders. Soanian assemblages include choppers, scrapers, discoids, cores, and flake-type tools. 

2. Shangao Cave

Sanghao Cave is a Paleolithic site in the Mardan District of Pakistan, located on the Pothohar Plateau. The cave was excavated by Ahmad Hasan Dani and contains evidence of human activity from the Middle Paleolithic period. The discovery of Sanghao Cave provides evidence of human activity in the region over 30,000 years ago.

3. Semthan

Semthan, also Semithan is a village 1 km north of Bijbehara in the Anantnag district of the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It has an archaeological site, the ancient site of Chakradhar where cultural sequences were stratified, from the Neolithic to the Indo-Greek and Kushan periods.

4. Pahalgam

Presently, it is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1969, Pahalgam became the first site in Jammu and Kashmir to provide Paleolithic evidence. Pahalgam is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan mountains, meadows, and forests. It’s known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and as a base camp for the Amarnath Yatra. 

5. Didwana

Didwana is a Paleolithic site in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, India. It is a significant archaeological site that has helped researchers understand the history of the region. Hand axes found at Didwana are similar to those found in the Shiwalik Range and date back around 400,000 years. 

6. Ratanpura

Ratanpura, situated in the Anand district of Gujarat, is renowned for its bead-making industry, historically significant as a source of semi-precious stones and carnelian beads that were sought after by the Harappans during their later years, with traders traveling to the site to acquire these materials for bead production. 

7. Ajmer

According to available information, the area around Ajmer in Rajasthan, particularly the Luni valley, has yielded archaeological evidence of tools from all three stages of the Paleolithic period: Lower, Middle, and Upper, signifying the presence of early human settlements in the region; with the Luni valley being a significant site for these discoveries. 

8. Bhimbetka

This Paleolithic site is located in the Vindhya range on the bank of river Narmada in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. Formerly known as Bhimbaithaka, Bhimbetka is renowned for having a substantial number of rock paintings and Rock shelters in the country. Archaeological remains pertaining to both the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic cultures have been unearthed here.

9. Sagar

The place in Madhya Pradesh where various Paleolithic period tools have been discovered is called Eran, which is located within the Sagar district; archaeological excavations at Eran have revealed a range of antiquities from the Neolithic era to the late medieval period, including Paleolithic and Chalcolithic artifacts. 

10. Kalpi

The town of Kalpi in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh, India has Paleolithic age tools. The tools found in Kalpi are from the Middle Paleolithic Age, which is roughly 300,000 to 30,000 years ago. The tools include quartzite choppers, scrapers, and bone tools like arrowheads, knives, and end-scrapers. The tools show evidence of charring, which suggests that fire was used. Kalpi is one of the few sites in the Ganga-Yamuna doab where evidence of human settlement from the Stone Age has been found. 

11. Belan Valley

This valley is located between Mirzapur and Prayaagraj districts of Uttar Pradesh. Bone tools and figurines of a goddess made of stone have been excavated from here. Belan Valley has provided evidence spanning all three periods of Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.

12. Bori

It is located near Mumbai in Pune district of Maharashtra. Recent discoveries at Bori have the earliest evidence of human presence, including early evidence of axe usage. It considered to be one of the earliest lower paleolithic sites in India.

13. Patne

Patne, the pre-historic site in Jalgaon (Maharashtra), has evidence of middle and upper Paleolithic settlements Mesolithic tools. Patne excavation revealed stone tools, bones and even ostrich eggshells, which showed the existence of ostriches in this area around 25,000 to 40,000 years ago.

14. Hunsagi

Presently it is located in the Yadgir district of Karnataka. It is a Paleolithic site from where many early Paleolithic tools have been found. It has revealed tools and weapons crafted from reddish-brown chert stone. It is a factory site as well.

15. Betamcherla

It is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Adjacent to Betamcherla lies the Kurnool caves, while Betamcherla itself is renowned for its polished stones. The Ketavraam rock paintings have also been found from Kurnool, which belongs to the Paleolithic period.

16. Adamgarh 

It is located in the Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh and is situated on the banks of the Narmada River. Features numerous rock shelters with prehistoric art and carvings. Contains evidence of Lower and Middle Paleolithic human occupation. Rich in stone tools and artifacts from ancient times. Essential for studying early human life, art and culture in India.

17. Attirampakkam 

Located near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, with significant archaeological findings. Known for the oldest stone tools in India, dating back to around 1.5 million years ago. Evidence of Lower Paleolithic human occupation and tool-making activities. Rich in Acheulian handaxes, cleavers, and other bifacial tools. Crucial for understanding early human technological evolution and behavior in South Asia. 

18. Baghor 

Located in Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh, near the Son river valley. Known for the Upper Paleolithic Baghor stone, interpreted as a cult object. Evidence of ritualistic practices and early human habitation. Rich in lithic artifacts, including backed blades and geometric microliths. Crucial for understanding early religious practices and cultural evolution. 

19. Chalisgaon

Located in Maharashtra, showcasing significant archaeological importance. Features Middle and Upper Paleolithic stone tools. Evidences early human settlement and tool-making activities. Rich in prehistoric artifacts, including tools and relics. Vital for studying human evolution and ancient cultural practices in India.

20. Chittoor

Located in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India, with significant archaeological findings. Known for remarkable Upper Paleolithic stone tool discoveries. Provides crucial evidence of ancient human habitation. Rich in megalithic burial sites and relics. Essential for studying prehistoric human culture and technological evolution.

21. Chopani Mando

Located in the Belan River valley, Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Marks the transition from food gathering to food production society. Features Mesolithic and Neolithic settlements. Rich in pottery, rice remains, and lithic artifacts. Crucial for understanding early human cultural and technological evolution.

22. Dari-dungri

It is located in Sambalpur District, Odisha, with extensive archaeological significance. Known for Lower and Middle Paleolithic stone tools. Discoveries include flakes, handaxes, cleavers, and other prehistoric implements. Evidence of early human habitation and tool-making activities. Crucial for understanding early human life and technological development in India.

23. Hunsgi

Located in Yadgir district, Karnataka. Known for early Paleolithic stone tools made from reddish-brown chert. Rich in multi-purpose tools, including longish blades. Evidence of habitation-cum factory sites near water sources. Crucial for understanding early human technological advancements.

24. Kurnool

Located in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, Known for Middle Paleolithic tools, including scrapers and points. Evidence of early human habitation and tool-making activities. Rich in siliceous materials like chert, chalcedony, agate and jasper. Crucial for understanding human evolution and ancient cultures in South India.

25. Lingasugur

Located in Raichur district, Karnataka, with significant archaeological findings. Known for the first evidence of Stone Age culture in India. Features polished stone knives and arrowheads from the Paleolithic era. Rich in prehistoric artifacts, providing insights into early human life. Crucial for understanding the technological advancements of early humans in South India.

26. Nevasa

Located in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, with significant archaeological importance. Known for Middle Paleolithic tools, mirroring Mousterian culture. Offers evidence of early human habitation and tool-making. Abundant in flake tools produced from pebbles or cobbles. Crucial for understanding human evolution and ancient cultures in Western India.

27. Paisra

Located in Munger district, Bihar, with significant archaeological findings. Known for Acheulian habitational floors and tool-making evidence. Rich in finished and semi-finished implements, flakes, cores, and debitage. Features post-holes and stone alignments indicating ancient structures. Crucial for understanding early human settlement and cultural practices in Eastern India.

28. Palghat/Palakkad

Located in Palakkad district, Kerala, showcasing significant archaeological discoveries. Known for substantial evidence of early human habitation and Paleolithic tools. Rich in megalithic relics and diverse ancient artifacts. Offers valuable insights into prehistoric cultures and lifestyles. Crucial for studying early human settlement and cultural development in South India. 

29. Renigunta

Renigunta, a Paleolithic and Mesolithic site in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, is known for its microlithic tools and evidence of early human habitation. Excavations suggest a transition from nomadic hunting-gathering to semi-sedentary lifestyles, offering crucial insights into prehistoric social structures and technological advancements in southern India.