a) Blade Tool
Blade tools are long, thin stone flakes that are at least twice as long as they are wide. These tools represent an advanced stage in stone tool technology and were commonly used during the Upper Palaeolithic period. Blades were struck from a specially prepared core and were more efficient because multiple blades could be made from a single core.
Characteristics:
- Sharp edges for cutting or scraping
- Can be modified into other tools like burins and scrapers
- Used for hunting, butchering, and crafting
Blade technology shows increased skill and planning in tool-making, and its development marks a leap in prehistoric human intelligence and cultural evolution.
b) Narmada Man
Narmada Man refers to a fossilized hominid skull discovered in 1982 by Arun Sonakia in the Narmada Valley of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the most important paleoanthropological finds in India.
Key Facts:
- Estimated to be around 125,000 to 250,000 years old
- Believed to belong to Homo erectus or an early form of Homo sapiens
- Found with stone tools and animal fossils
This discovery added to our understanding of early human presence in the Indian subcontinent and provided key insights into human evolution in Asia.
c) Robert Bruce Foote
Robert Bruce Foote is regarded as the “Father of Indian Prehistory.” He was a British geologist and archaeologist who made significant contributions to prehistoric studies in India.
Contributions:
- Discovered the first Paleolithic tool in India (a hand axe at Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu in 1863)
- Surveyed and documented various prehistoric sites
- His work laid the foundation for prehistoric archaeology in India
Foote’s discoveries proved that India had a rich Stone Age history and influenced generations of Indian archaeologists.
d) Importance of Archaeology in Social Sciences
Archaeology plays a vital role in the broader field of social sciences. It provides material evidence to support theories in history, sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies.
Significance:
- Reconstructs past societies and cultures
- Provides long-term perspective on human development
- Helps understand technological, social, and economic changes
- Contributes to heritage preservation and identity
By studying tools, architecture, art, and everyday objects, archaeology offers unique insights into the way people lived, worked, and interacted in the past, enriching our understanding of human history.