After about 4,00,000 years BP (Before Present), changes took place in the lithic technology and the species of human ancestors diverged.
The species of Homo erectus existed in this period.
Some of the Middle Palaeolithic tools are attributed to behavioural modernity.
Anatomically modern humans are said to have emerged around 3,00,000 years ago.
In India, the Middle Palaeolithic phase was first identified by H.D. Sankalia on the Pravara River at Nevasa.
After this discovery, several sites of this period have been identified.
Recently, the Middle Palaeolithic of Athirampakkam is dated to be around 3.85-1.72 lakh years BP.
Indian Middle Palaeolithics probably may be as old as the African Middle Palaeolithic culture.
Industries and Tool Types
The tool types of the Middle Palaeolithic period are hand axes, cleavers, choppers, chopping tools, scrapers, borers and points, projectile points or shouldered points, and knives on flakes.
Flake industry was predominant in the Middle Palaeolithic period and tools such as scrapers, points and borers were made. Scrapers were used for wood and skin working.
Chronology
The Middle Palaeolithic culture in India is dated between 3,85,000 and 40,000 BCE (BC).
While the African Middle Stone Age is associated with the Homo sapiens, it is associated with the Neanderthals in Europe.
No hominin fossil bones of this species have been found in India.
Distribution
The Middle Palaeolithic sites are found in Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna and other river valleys.
Ways of Life and Main Characteristics
The Middle Palaeolithic people occupied open-air, cave and rock shelter sites.
They were hunter-gatherers.
The main features of the Indian Middle Palaeolithic period include the following:
The tools became smaller.
The decrease in the use of hand axes in relation to other tools.
Use of core preparation techniques in stone tool production.
Use of chert, jasper, chalcedony and quartz as raw materials.
