Neolithic Culture of Kashmir

The term Neolithic is used, especially in archaeology and anthropology, to designate a stage of cultural evolution or technological development characterized by the use of stone tools, the existence of settled villages largely dependent on domesticated plants and animals, and the presence of such crafts as pottery and weaving. The time period and cultural content indicated by the term varies with the geographic location of the culture considered and with the particular criteria used by the individual scientist. The domestication of plants and animals usually distinguishes Neolithic culture from earlier Paleolithic or Mesolithic hunting, fishing, and food-gathering cultures. The Neolithic age is also called the new Stone Age. The Neolithic culture is unique in the sense that it represents the full transition from hunting and gathering to food- producing economy. There are two theories regarding to the origin of Neolithic culture. The first is the dispersal from west Asia, postulated on the strength of similarity of the ceramic tradition of Shah tape and other west Asian sites, from where a group of people migrated to south India, picking up enroute the BosIndicus (ox, cow) from the Indus people and other chalcolithic traits. The second is the independent origin with Bellary as the nuclear region for its dispersal. But, at present the origin of this culture is still a moot question. Most of the Neolithic sites are located at the foot of the hills or on top of low hillocks, overlooking plain valleys below. There are also instances of valley and plain- land sites. After selection of the site the area was leveled using earth and stone.