By about 3000 B.C. , the climate of kashmir became warmer. The climate change was followed by the group of people from the neighbouring areas of kashmir who were armed not only with sophisticated and effective hunting techniques but were also primitive farmers. With this Kashmir entered into the Neolithic Age (New stone age) , the remains of which are spread everywhere in the valley.
Nearly 30+ Neolithic sites have been identified in kashmir, but only two sites, Burzahom and Gufkral, have been excavated so far. I.e burzahom and grofkral
1).Burzahom : The Neolithic culture is indicated by the discovery of ground and polished stone axes, hoes and pestles and bone implements, at the well-known menhir site of Burzahom 16 kilometres east of srinagar.
Burzahom is famous as one of the two megalithic sites in the extreme north-west of the indian sub-continent. The Archeological survey of India who began excavations here in 1960 , discovered pits in section near about the silt-bed, indication a settlement in India.
2).Gufkral: Excavation at Gufkral shows that they were also pit dwellers , used bone tools and beads of stones. The discovery of spindle from the site is itself a marvel of age.
Gufkral excavations reveal a good number of iron objects in the form of points and rods. A fine cobbler's awl was also recovered. Copper rings and wire are also found in the cist graves of the period.
The findings obtained from these famous sites have been analysed by various scholars. Briefly speaking, the Neolithic culture of kashmir is datable from 2800 B.C to 1500 B.C according to archeological findingds. however the Neolithic culture was not beset with intertia , instead some significant changes took place during this period (2800-1500 B.C) , marking one phase off from the other. Accordingly, the archeologists have divided the Neolithic culture of kashmir into three phases.
Phase 1: 2800 to 2250 B.C
Phase 2: 2250 to 2000 B.C
Phase 3: 2000 to 1500 B.C,
On the basis of advancement of developments made by the Neolithic man in the fields of technology, life standards, economy, religion beliefs, etc.
The findings obtained from these famous sites of Gufkral and Burzahom have been analysed by the different schollars. And the Neolithic culture is datable from 2800BC to 1500BC on the bases of these findings.
It is however, important to mention here that the Neolithic culture was not statrted with these findings. instead some significant changes took place during this period, According to the archeologists, neolithic culture of kashmir have been divided into three phases.
2280 to 2550 BC
2550 to 2000 BC
2000 to 1500 BC
On the basis of advancement of tools this division have been made and on the basis of tools and developments made by the Neolithic man of kashmir.
During the first phase, the economic dependency of neolithic man was on farming , stock raising and hunting. Bones of bear, sheep, ibex (wild goat) and stag have been obtained. Of these sheep and Goats were domesticated. Among the cereals, grains of wheat, barly and lentils were recovered. The natural loessic soil known as Wuder, was cut into for obtaining dwelling pits.. Dwelling pits is the most important feature of the neolithic culture of kashmir.
While the pit dwelling, substance economy based on farming, stock raising and hunting and the tool technology of the first phase of the neolithic culture of kashmir continurd, this phase is marked by an important development i.e the introduction of the earliest indigeneous hand made pottery. The second phase assemblage comprised three principals fabrics thick coarse grey ware, fine grey ware and gritty dull red ware; the first one being predominant. The main pottery types included long necked jar, bowls and basins. Ring or disc bases characterize bowls and basins. Based on these pots, a vareity of mat impressed desighn were noticed.
Animal remains represented sheep, goat cattle, wolf, dog , red deer, Ibex and bear. Of the sheep, goat and cattle were domesticated. A short horned vareity of cattle is also met with . These along with red deer, ibex and bear were hunted. Presence of bones of dogs suggests that this animal was also domesticated during this period. Besides, the plants of the period witnessed the introduction of common pea, a new item introduced during this period. The remains of peach, walnut and apricot are also reported from Burzahom.
A sizable bones and stone tools have been obtained. The bone tools included harpoons, needles, awls, spears, points, etc. The main stone tools comprised axes, chisels, adzes, ponders, ring-stones (mace-heads), points and picks and a stone was also obtained. The third and the last phase of the Neolithic Culture of kashmir exhibits both continuity and change. Underground pit and chamber dwelling was abandoned in this phase , and units made of mud of brick were unearthed. Besides sheep, goat and cattlen, bones of pig and fish, horse, rodents, beaver have also been obtained. While the cultivation of wheat, barley, lentil and common pea continued, the period saw the introduction of some fruit crops, grapes, vine and almond..
Excavation at Burzahom have furnished intresting data regarding the burial practices prevelent in this phase. The burials were mostly found within the settlements. These were oval in outline and were dug out either in house floor or compounds. The sides of these graves were found plastered with lime . Both primary and secondary burials were practiced. Red ochre has been found sprinkled over the human bones. Burials of some animals like dog, wolf and ibex have been found.
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