Syllabus (ANTHROPOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-7

Semester: 5

Course Code: BANTMAJ07C

Course Title: Prehistory of India and Europe 

(L-P-Tu): 5-1-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: To understand the reconstruction of prehistoric culture and past life ways of Europe and India, To understand the culture process, To build a sound chronology of the prehistoric culture. 

Learning Outcome: The students will learn about prehistoric culture of India through the technique of manufacturing tools, history of Indian Archaeology;  the methods of climatic reconstruction, Pleistocene, Holocene and post Holocene chronology of India, from the practic

BANTMJ07C: Prehistory of India and Europe 6 credits

Total Marks: 50 (30 theory + 20 practical)

Unit I: General Introduction to Indian prehistory: Definition and scope, Concept of prehistoric culture, History of Development of Prehistoric Archaeology in India – contributions of Alexander Cunningham, John Marshall, Robert Bruce Foote, Mortimer Wheeler, H.D.Sankalia,

Pleistocene Prehistoric culture: Nomenclatural problem of Indian prehistoric culture, Lower Palaeolithic: important characters of Sohanian and Madrasian industries, Middle Palaeolithic: Nevasian - Geographical distribution and typo-technological characters, Upper Palaeolithic: Distribution and salient features of Blade and burin industries Unit III: Holocene Prehistoric Culture: Early Holocene environment and Mesolithic culture in India, Mesolithic culture - regional distribution, typo-technology and economy of major Mesolithic sites (Langnaj, Bagor, and Damdama); Mesolithic Rock Art. Neolithic culture – concept and salient features of Neolithic Revolution, General features of Indian Neolithic culture, and salient characters of the following major Neolithic sites – Burzhom, Sangankallu, Koldihava, Sohgaura & Daojali Hading

Unit II: Post-Neolithic Cultures: Salient Features of Ahar, Malwa and Maski Chalcolithic culture, Harappa Civilization - Origins, Town Planning, Economy, Religion and Causes of decline, Megalithic Culture complex in India - Regional development and salient features

Unit III: General Introduction to European prehistory: Origin and growth of European Prehistory, Early contributions- Antiquarianism, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Contributions of Earth- and Biological sciences, Contributions of Boucher de Perthes, C.J. Thomsen, Mortimer Wheeler, Vere Gordon Childe, Quaternary background/basis of European prehistory

Unit IV: Palaeolithic Period: Classification of Palaeolithic culture – concept and bases, Important features of the following Palaeolithic industries: Abbevillian, Acheulian, Clactonian, Levalloisian (Lower Palaeolithic), Mousterian (Middle Palaeolithic), Aurignacian, Solutrean and Magdalenian (Upper Palaeolithic), General characters of Palaeolithic art in Europe

Unit V: Mesolithic and Neolithic Europe: Post-glacial climate and environmental changes a overview, Important characters of extent, typo-technology, habitat and economy of the following Mesolithic sites – Azilian, and Tardenoisean (Western Europe), Kitchen-midden, and Sauveterrian (Northern Europe), Neolithic Revolution – concept and characters, Neolithic Beginnings of productive economy (examples from Jericho and Nemrik), Significant features of: Early Neolithic (Linear Pottery Culture), Middle Neolithic (Funnel Beaker Culture), and Late Neolithic (the Bell Beaker Culture)

Unit VI: Bronze and Iron Age Periods: Beginnings of metallurgy in Central and Eastern Europe Important characters of the following Bronze age cultures - Otomani Culture, Pre-Lusatian Culture and Urnfield Cultures, Characteristics, extent and territorial differences of European Iron Age cultures - Important features of Hallstatt and Lusatian Cultures, Megaliths and Megalithism: Typology and chronology of main megalithic structures in Europe

Practical 20 marks

Systematic classification and typo-technological identification of the following prehistoric tools –

1. Core tools – Chopper, Chopping Tool, Handaxe, Cleaver
2. Flake tools – Scraper, Point, Borer
3. Blade tools – Simple blade, Backed blade, Knife blade, Simple point on blade, and tanged point
4. Ground tools – Celts, Chisel, Shoulder tool

References

Agrawal, D. P- The Archaeology of India, Curzon Press, London. 1982

Agrawal, D.P and D.K.Chakrabarti- Essays in Indian Protohistory, B.R.Publishing Co, Delhi, 1979

Allchin, B.R.and D.K.Chakrabarti- A Source Book on Indian Archaeology, M.M Publishers Pvt. limited, New Delhi , 1979

Allchin, B. and R. Allchin- The Rise of Civilisation in India and Pakistan, Cambridge University Press, London, 1983

Allchin, Bridget and Raymond. The Birth of Indian Civilization – India and Pakistan before 500 B.C. Cambridge: Penguin Books. 1993.

Sankalia, H.D.- Prehistory and Protohistory of India and Pakistan, Deccan College, Pune, 1974

Sankalia, H.D. Stone Age Tools: Their Techniques, Names and Probable Functions, Deccan College, Pune, 1982

Wheeler, R E M- Early India and Pakistan, Thames and Hudson, London,, 1959

Bhattacharya, D.K. 1978. Emergence of Culture in Europe, Delhi: B.R. Publication.

Bhattacharya, D.K. 1979. Old Stone Age Tools and Techniques. Calcutta: K.P. Bagchi Company.

Bhattacharya, D.K. 1996. Palaeolithic Europe. Humanities Press.

Champion et al. 1984. Prehistoric Europe. New York: Academic Press.

Fagan, B.M. 1983. People of Earth: An Introduction. Boston: Little, Brown & Company.