GS302 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Periodisation Of The Indus Valley Civilisation, Animal Husbandry, Chalcolithic
Document Summary
Orientalist accounts of history in south asia: periodization, oriental despotism, decline. Nationalist response: emphasis on ancient glory , dynastic history largely complete, focus turns to social and material history. Archaeology: material (scientific) basis for history. Subsistence hunting by small nomadic communities scattered across the area. Evidence of totems and other seemingly religious objects (hard to interpret) More precise fashioning of stone implements (sickles and axes) Reliance on particular kinds of stone requires settlement in areas close to materials rather than food sources. First evidence of settled human communities close to supplies of stones basis of technology: first steps toward domestication of agriculture/farming. Highly polished stone implements make agriculture more efficient. Surplus food production implies origins of hierarchy. Social ways of organizing surplus food production. Use of copper and bronze; residues left over from creating mineral-based dyes. Larger trading networks necessary to access raw materials. Trading networks in place so everyone can access the materials to make useful metals.
