Which of the following sites does not belong to the Neolithic period ?

The correct answer is - Ahichchhatra

Key Points

• Ahichchhatra
  • Ahichchhatra is primarily associated with the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture and later periods, rather than the Neolithic period.
  • It served as an important site during the Iron Age and the early historical period, rather than being linked to the agricultural and pastoral lifestyle of the Neolithic era.
  • Artifacts excavated from Ahichchhatra include evidence of advanced urbanization, which is not characteristic of the Neolithic period.
• Neolithic sites
  • Sites like Burzahom, Chirand, and Tekkalkotta belong to the Neolithic period, marked by early agriculture, domestication of animals, and use of polished stone tools.
  • For example, Burzahom (in Kashmir) is known for its pit dwellings, whereas Chirand (in Bihar) shows evidence of Neolithic tools and pottery.
  • Tekkalkotta (in Karnataka) is another important Neolithic site known for its ash mounds and agricultural evidence.

Additional Information

• Characteristics of the Neolithic period
  • The Neolithic period is marked by the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled agricultural one.
  • Key innovations of the Neolithic period include:
    • Domestication of animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
    • Invention of polished stone tools for farming and hunting.
    • Development of pottery for storage purposes.
  • Important Neolithic sites in India include:
    • Mehrgarh (Pakistan, now in Balochistan) – One of the earliest farming sites.
    • Burzahom (Jammu & Kashmir) – Known for its pit dwellings.
    • Chirand (Bihar) – Evidence of early agriculture and tools.
• Other cultural periods
  • The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture, associated with sites like Ahichchhatra, belongs to the Iron Age (1200–600 BCE).
  • This culture is characterized by the use of grey pottery with painted designs, urbanization, and early forms of governance.
  • Ahichchhatra later became an important center during the Mahajanapada period.