An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s5.7

v1.c9.s5.7

(2) Rock-shelters: The Vindhya, Satpura and Kaimur hills in c. India are very rich in caves and rock-shelters [13]. Several thousands of these are known and many more no doubt are awaiting discovery. Though some of these shelters had been occupied as early as the Acheulian times [4.2.2], it was during the Mesolithic phase that they became a favourite place for habitation. From our experience at BHIMBETKA, ADAMGARH and other places we can say that every shelter with evidence of occupation invariably has Mesolithic deposits. C. India receives ample rainfall—between 80 and 200 cm—and the hills are covered with dense deciduous vegetation. The forests until recently were teeming with wild life and shall produce a large variety of plants with edible flowers, fruits, seeds and roots. Water was available near the shelters either from natural perennial springs or from seasonal or perennial streams. This vast rocky country is ideally suited for a hunting-gathering way of life. Even today c. India remains the largest zone of the aboriginal population of the country in whose economy hunting and gathering, especially the latter, plays a major role.