An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c14.s10.t1.3

v1.c14.s10.t1.3

Rivers have provided a suitable environment for human settlement at all times—from the prehistoric period down to the present day. In the prehistoric times man being a hunter and food-gatherer obtained most of the requirements for his sustenance in the river valleys which bore thick natural vegetation and wild animal life. Later on, when animals were domesticated and the cultivation of crops was initiated, man continued to occupy this land-form as it provided natural fertile soils on the river flood plains for raising crops. Thus numerous Stone Age sites have been discovered in the valleys of the Ganga, NARMADA, TAPTI, GODAVARI, Sabarmati, etc., and their numerous tributaries. Rivers have yet another advantage in that they provide an easy communication for movement for trade, invasion, etc., and it can be seen that important trade routes of ancient times are located in the river valleys.