- Archaeology
The science which enables us to dig the old mounds in a systematic manner, in successive layers, and to form an idea of the material life of the people is called archaeology
- C14
A scientific method of dating the excavated and recovered material remains are known as Radio Carbon Method. It is associated with living objects
- Pollen analysis
The history of climate and vegetation is known through an examination of plant residues, through pollen analysis
On this basis it is suggested that agriculture was practiced in Rajasthan and Kashmir around 7000-6000 B.C
- Numismatics
The study of coin is called Numismatics
Ancient coin were made of metal — copper, silver, gold or lead and burnt clay also has been used.
- Arikamedu
Arikamedu is an archaeological site in south India, present Pondicherry.
Many Roman coins, beads and jewelry were unearthed from Arikamedu, it proves the ancient trade relations between Rome and the Tamils.
- Epigraphy
The study of inscription is known as epigraphy
Inscription is found on the seals, stone, rock, cave, copper plate, temple walls, bricks and images.
- Paleography
The study of the old writing used in inscription and other old records is called Paleography.
- Corpus Inscription Indicarum
Inscription bearing on the history of Maurya, post Maurya and Gupta times have been published in a series of collection is called Corpus Inscription Indicarum
- Vedas
The four Vedas are Rig Veda, Athervaveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda
The oldest religious texts of the Hindus and throw light on the socio-cultural aspects of ancient times.
- Vyakarana
Vykarana – Grammer
To Understand the Vedic texts it is was necessary to learn Vedangas of the limbs of Veda. It is one of the limbs.
- Jyotisha
Jyotisha – Astronomy
To Understand the Vedic texts it is was necessary to learn Vedangas of the limbs of Veda. It is one of the limbs.
- Bharata
Bharata – is the name of an early Vedic tribe
The final compilation of the verses of Mahabharata is named after the tribe
- Dharmashastras
Dharmashastras are ancient secular literature.
It belong to the law book called Dharmasutras and Smritis, which together is called the Dharmashastras
- Arthasastra
It is an important law book of the ancient period.
It reflect the state of society and economy in the age of the Mauryas.
- Sangam
It is the poets who assembled in colleges patronized by chiefs and kings, these were called Sangam.
The literature produced by these colleges were called as Sangam literature.
To name a few, Ettuthokai, Pattupattu, Patinenkilkanakku, Purananuru, Agananuru, and etc.
- Indica
Indica is the work of Megasthenes
He came to the court of Chandragupta Mauryas, has written about the Mauryan administration, the social classes and the economic activities.
- Fa-hsien
He was a Chinese traveler, came to India to visit the Buddhist shrines and to study Buddhism.
He mentions about the socio-economic and religious condition of India in the age of the Guptas.
- Hsuan – Tsang
He was a Chinese traveler, came to India to visit the Buddhist shrines and to study Buddhism.
He mentions about the socio-economic and religious condition of India in the age of the Harsha.
- Paleolithic
Paleolithic is also known as the Old Stone Age
It is divided into three phases, Early or lower Paleolithic,(2,50,000B.C- 1,00,000 B.C) Middle Paleolithic, (1,50,000B.C- 40,000 B.C)and Upper Paleolithic. (40,000B.C- 10000 B.C)
During this period people used hand-axes, cleavers, and choppers.
- Mesolithic
It is a transitional phase between Old Stone Age and New Stone Age. (9000-4000B.C)
The Mesolithic people lived on fishing, hunting and food gathering.
The characteristic tools of the Mesolithic were microliths.
- Neolithic
The Neolithic period roughly started around (9000 – 1000 B.C)
This age people used tools and implements of polished stone. They particularly used stone axes.
- Chalcolithic
The Chalcolithic period came next to the Neolithic phase.
People of this phase used stone and copper implements, hence it is known as stone and copper age.
