Daojali Hading, Neolithic Site, Artefacts & Significance

Daojali Hading is an important archaeological site located in present-day Assam, which helps us understand the life of early human settlements in Northeast India. It is mainly known for its connection with the Neolithic period, when people started using stone tools, practicing early forms of agriculture, and living in settled communities. The site gives us a glimpse of how ancient people lived, their tools, and their cultural practices, making it significant for studying the prehistory of India. 

About Daojali Hading

• Daojali Hading is an important Neolithic archaeological site located in the Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest in Dima Hasao district of Assam, known for providing valuable insights into early human settlements in Northeast India.
• The site was first discovered in the 1960s during the construction of the Lumding-Haflong Road, and later systematically excavated by T.C. Sharma and M.C. Goswami (1962-64).
• Archaeological findings confirm that Daojali Hading dates back to over 2700 years, making it a significant site for understanding the Neolithic period in this region.
• Several important artefacts have been recovered from the site, including polished double-shouldered celts (a type of chiselled stone tool), cord-marked pottery, mortars and pestles, grinding stones, low-fired potsherds, and charcoal samples, which reflect the daily life and practices of early communities.
• The discovery of jadeite stones, which are also found in China and are considered unique in the Indian context, suggests the existence of ancient trade links with East and Southeast Asia.
• Evidence such as the presence of a furnace and iron slag indicates that people at Daojali Hading were engaged in early metallurgical activities, showing technological advancement.
• These findings strongly support the idea that Daojali Hading was a major prehistoric settlement in Northeast India with a well-developed cultural setup.
• The artefacts and cultural materials unearthed from the site show clear connections with the broader Eastern and Southeastern Asian Neolithic cultural complex, highlighting its wider historical significance.

Also Read:- Climate of India

Neolithic Age

• The Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) began around 10,000 years ago (about 9000 BCE) and continued until the use of metal tools started around 3000 BCE, marking a major turning point in human history.
• This period saw a significant climatic change, as the world became warmer, which helped in the growth of grasslands and created better conditions for human survival and development.
• One of the most important changes was the domestication of animals. Instead of only hunting, people started rearing animals like sheep, goats, cattle, deer, and antelope, and fishing also became an important activity.
• The beginning of agriculture was another major development. People started growing crops like wheat, barley, rice, and lentils, which gradually became a regular part of their diet. The earliest domesticated crops were wheat and barley, while sheep and goats were among the first animals to be domesticated.
• With farming, people began to live a more settled life. They stayed in one place to take care of crops, which led to the need for storage. As a result, they started making clay pots, baskets, and even dug pits to store grains for future use.
• Archaeological sites from this period provide evidence like plant remains, animal bones, and burnt grains, which help us understand the types of crops grown and food habits of the people.
• Remains of houses and huts have also been found. For example, at Burzahom, people lived in pit-houses dug into the ground with steps, which helped protect them from the cold climate.
• Cooking hearths found both inside and outside houses show that people cooked food in different ways depending on their needs.
• In terms of material culture, tools became more advanced. People used polished stone tools with sharper edges, along with mortars and pestles for grinding grains. They also made different types of earthen pots for cooking and storage.
• The potter’s wheel became known after around 4500 BCE, improving the making of pottery.
• This period also saw the emergence of early social structures, as seen from burials, rituals, and religious symbols, showing the beginning of more organized societies.
• Important Neolithic sites in the Indian subcontinent include:
  • Northwest: Mehrgarh (Pakistan)
  • North India: Burzahom, Gufkral (Kashmir)
  • Northern & Central India: Senuwar (Bihar), Koldihwa & Mahagara (Uttar Pradesh), Bagor (Rajasthan), Adamgarh (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Northeast India: Daojali Hading, Sarutaru (Assam), Napachik & Laimanai (Manipur)
  • South India: Brahmagiri, Maski (Karnataka), Paiyampalli (Tamil Nadu)
• The Neolithic Age marks the shift from a food-gathering lifestyle to a food-producing economy, laying the foundation for civilization and settled human life.

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