An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c28.26

v2.c28.26

The Adamgarh hill thus seems to have been a much frequented site from the Palaeolithic through the Mesolithic down to the early historical and medieval periods. During prehistoric times its convenient situation in the vicinity of a perennial stream met the basic needs of water. The thick forested hills on both banks of the river provided animal and vegetable food. Natural rock-shelters on the hills could have served as emergency shelters during rains and also as a defence against wild beasts. The rock fragments in the talus on the escarpment side and pebbles from the adjoining river were within easy reach for the manufacture of implements for hunting and digging up edible roots. In the later periods when man acquired the knowledge of cultivation the fertile black soil of the adjacent Narmada plains would have been useful to him. Although no palaeoclimatic deductions can be made from the available evidence it seems broadly that the climate was more humid during the Palaeolithic times but gradually became dry towards the Mesolithic.