Ancient India

Chalco-Lithic Age (3,500 BC - 1,000 BC)

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Chalco-Lithic Age (3,500 BC - 1,000 BC)

The term "Chalcolithic" is the combination of two Greek words: Chalco (Copper) & Lithic (= Stone). Thus, the meaning of the Chalco-Lithic Age is Copper-Stone Age.

Use of Copper and Stone Implements

In that age, men used copper implements along with stone implements; the age is known as the "Chalco-Lithic Age".
It is also called the "Neolithic-Chalcolithic Age".
At first, men used the metal to make implements was copper. It is believed that copper was first used around 5,000 BC.

Transition to Bronze and Other Metals

In the beginning, copper was discovered.
Later, copper was mixed with other metals such as tin or zinc and lead to make a new metal or alloy, called bronze.
In the course of time, men became familiar with the use of gold, silver, and at last with the use of iron.

Geographical Differences in Metal Use

In North India, after the Lithic Age, the Chalco-Lithic Age appeared, and after the Chalco-Lithic Age, the Iron Age appeared, whereas in South India, the place of the Lithic Age was directly occupied by the Iron Age.
In other words, in North India, after lithic (stone), copper was used, and after copper, iron was used, but in South India, after stone the iron was directly used.
Since Copper is not indigenous in South India, therefore, they missed the Copper Age, and the Lithic Age was succeeded directly by the Iron Age.
It means the extension of the Chalco-Lithic age existed only in North India, not in South India.

Stages of the Chalco-Lithic Age

I Pre-Harappan Age (3,500 BC - 2,500 BC)

Pre-Harappan sites represent the transitional phase between the Neolithic Age and the Harappan Age.
Its importance lies in the fact that on the basis of it, the background of Harappan Civilization is clarified, and this is the basis on which the gradual evolution of Harappan Civilization from local/indigenous cultures can be explained.

Regional Extension of Pre-Harappan Culture

Region/State	Archaeological Sites
South-West Afghanistan	Mundigak, Deh Morası Ghundai
Northern Baluchistan (Pakistan)	Jhob culture: Rana Ghundai, Periano Ghundai, Mughal Ghundai, Dabarkot; Queta culture: Kili Ghul Muhammad, Damb Sadat, Pirak Damb
Southern Baluchistan (Pakistan)	Nal Culture: Sor Damb; Kulli culture: Mehi, Roji, Mazera Damb
Punjab (Pakistan)	Harappa, Saraikhola, Jalilpur
Sindh (Pakistan)	Amari, Kotadizi, Mohenjodaro
Haryana	Vanawali, Rakhigarhi
Rajasthan	Sothi, Kalibangan-1

II. Harappan Age / Indus Civilization (2,500 BC - 1,750 BC)

Three names are proposed for the civilization of the Harappan Age - Harappan Civilization, Indus Civilization & Indus-Saraswati Civilization.
According to the archaeological point of view, the most appropriate name is Harappan Civilization, because Harappa was the first site discovered.
There is a tradition in Archaeology, when we have to do nomenclature of any ancient culture then the site from where the existence of the culture was first known is opted for nomenclature.
It is notable that the first site discovered of this culture was Harappa.
Harappan civilization was the civilization of the Copper Age.

Regional Extension of Harappan Civilization

Region/State	Archaeological Sites
Afghanistan	Situated in Takhar Province of North-Eastern Afghanistan - Shortughai; Situated in Kandhar province of South-Western Afghanistan - Mundigak
Baluchistan (Pakistan)	Mehargarh, Kili ghul Muhammad, Rana Ghundai, Dabarkot, Balakot, Nindo Bari, Anjira, Sutkagendor
Punjab (Pakistan)	Harappa, Jalilpur, Sanghariwala, Derawa
Sindh (Pakistan)	Mohanjodaro, Amari, Kotdizi, Rehman Dheri, Suku Alhadino, Chanhudaro, Alimurad, Jhukar, Jhang
J. & K.	Manda
Haryana	Vanawali, Rakhigarhi, Bhagawanpura
Rajasthan	Kalibanga, Ganeshwar, Shishawal, Bara, Hanumatgarh, Mithal, Chhupas
Uttar Pradesh	Alamghirpur, Manpur, Bargaon, Hulas, Sanauli
Gujarat	Dholavira, Lothal, Surkotda, Bhagatrao, Rangpu, Rozdi, Desalpur, Prabhashpattan
Maharashtra	Daimabad

III. Post Harappan Age (2,000 BC - 1,000 BC)

After 2,000 BC, in the different regions of the Indian subcontinent, the various regional cultures came into existence. These were Chalco-Lithic Cultures.
These cultures were not an urban culture like the Indus Civilization, but rural cultures.
The nomenclature of these cultures is based on the type.

Regional Cultures

Region	Name & Time Period (Location)	Type Site	Other Sites
South-Eastern Rajasthan	Ahar Culture/Banas Culture: 2,100 BC-1,500 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of the type site Ahar, situated in the Banas river valley of the Udaipur district)	Ahar/Tambvati, i.e. place that has copper	Gilund (Only chalco-lithic site from where the remains of baked bricks are found)-situated in Chitradurg district; Balaghat- situated in Udaipur district.
Western Madhya Pradesh	Kayatha Culture: 2,000 BC-1,800 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of type site Kayatha situated on the bank of Kali Sindh, a tributary of the Chambal River in the Ujjain district)	Kayatha	Tripuri is situated in Jabalpur district, and Ujjain is situated in Ujjain district.
Western Maharashtra	Sawalda Culture: 2,000 BC-1,800 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of type site Sawalda situated in Tapti & Prawara valley in Dhuliya district)	Sawalda
South-Western Gujarat	Prabhash/Prabhaspattan Culture: 1,800 BC-1,500 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of type site Prabhashpattan situated in Junagarh district)	Prabhaspattan
Western Madhya Pradesh	Nevada Toli/Malwa Culture: 1,700 BC 1,200 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of type site Neveda Toli situated on the bank of the Narmada river of Malwa region in Khargon district.)	Newada Toli	Maheshwar-situated in Khargon district; Nagada, situated in Ujjain district.
Western Bihar	Chirand Culture: 1,500 BC-750 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of the type site Chirand situated in the Saran district.)	Chirand
Western Maharashtra	Jorwe Culture: 1,400 BC-750 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of the type site Jorwe situated on the left bank of the Prawara river in the Ahmednagar district.)	Jorwe	Situated in Ahmednagar district- Daimabad (Copper-made figures-rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo & chariot with charioteer, terracota figure of mother goddess matridevi) and Newasa (terracota figure of mother goddess/matridevi); Situated in Nasik district-Nasik; Situated in Pune district-Inamgaolo (remain of house with five rooms, terracota figure of mother goddess/matridevi) and Chandoli. A
Mid Gujarat	Rangpur Culture: 1,400 BC-750 BC (Nomenclature based on the name of the type site Rangpur situated on the bank of the Bhadar river of Surendranagar district.)	Rangpur

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