Why in NEWS
Recent excavations at Daojali Hading in Assam’s Dima Hasao district reaffirm its Neolithic identity, dating back over 2,700 years, and hint at early trade links with East and Southeast Asia.
Key Concepts Simplified
| Term/Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Neolithic Age | Final phase of Stone Age marked by farming, settlements, and tools. |
| Daojali Hading | Neolithic site in Assam; known for jadeite tools and pottery. |
| Cord-marked Pottery | Pots with rope-like impressions used for storage or cooking. |
| Celts | Chiselled, polished stone tools, often double-shouldered. |
| Jadeite | A hard stone found in East Asia, suggests long-distance trade. |
News in Simple Terms
- Daojali Hading, located in the Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest, was excavated in the 1960s by T.C. Sharma and M.C. Goswami.
- New findings include:
- Polished stone tools (double-shouldered celts)
- Cord-marked pottery, grinding stones, charcoal
- Jadeite stones – also found in China – hinting at ancient trade
- This proves that Northeast India was not isolated but linked to broader Asian civilizations.
Neolithic Age at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | ~9000 BCE to ~3000 BCE (varies by region) |
| Also Known As | New Stone Age |
| Main Features | – Agriculture: wheat, barley, rice, millet – Domestication: cattle, sheep, goats |
| – Permanent settlements with mud-brick or stone houses | |
| – Polished stone tools: axes, sickles, grinding stones | |
| – Early use of potter’s wheel (~4500 BCE) | |
| – Complex social life: burials, rituals, religious symbols | |
| Significance | Transition from food gathering to food production; rise of settled life |
Prominent Neolithic Sites in India
| Region | Sites |
|---|---|
| Northwest India | Mehrgarh (now in Pakistan), Burzahom, Gufkral (J&K) |
| Northern & Central | Senuwar (Bihar), Koldihwa, Mahagara (U.P.), Bagor (Rajasthan), Adamgarh (M.P.) |
| Northeast India | Daojali Hading, Sarutaru (Assam), Napachik, Laimanai (Manipur) |
| Southern India | Brahmagiri, Maski (Karnataka), Paiyampalli (Tamil Nadu) |
Visual Aid
Neolithic Progression Chart
(From Stone to Civilisation)Food Gathering → Agriculture → Settlements → Tools & Pottery → Trade & Culture
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “DAD-JC”
→ Daojali Hading
→ Asian trade (jadeite)
→ Double-shouldered celts
→ Jar pottery (cord-marked)
→ Charcoal evidence
Prelims Practice MCQs
- Which of the following artefacts is unique to Daojali Hading among Indian Neolithic sites?
a) Celts
b) Mortars and pestles
c) Jadeite stones
d) Cord-marked pottery - Daojali Hading is located in which forested area?
a) Kaziranga Reserve Forest
b) Dihang-Dibang Biosphere
c) Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest
d) Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary - In the context of the Neolithic period, which of the following is INCORRECT?
a) Pottery was used for storage and cooking
b) Celts were typically made of bronze
c) Agricultural practices included millet cultivation
d) Settlements were often permanent and mud-brick based
Mains Questions
- Discuss the significance of Daojali Hading in understanding the Neolithic culture of Northeast India. (GS1 – Ancient Indian History)
- Examine how archaeological findings challenge the view that Northeast India was isolated in prehistoric times. (GS1 – Culture and Heritage)
Prelims Answer Key & Explanations
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c) Jadeite stones | Jadeite is rare in India but found at Daojali Hading; links with East Asia. |
| 2 | c) Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest | Daojali Hading is situated in this reserve forest in Assam. |
| 3 | b) Celts were typically made of bronze | Incorrect; Neolithic celts were made of polished stone, not bronze. |
