Pakistan has a rich history of human
habitation that goes back to prehistoric times. The prehistoric period in
Pakistan spans from the Palaeolithic Age (2.5 million years ago to 10,000 BCE)
to the Iron Age (1200 BCE to 600 BCE). During this period, Pakistan was home to
various communities of hunters, gatherers, and farmers.
The Palaeolithic Age in Pakistan saw the
emergence of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens, who were hunter-gatherers and
relied on stone tools for survival. The stone tools and artefacts from this period have been discovered in many parts of Pakistan, including the Soan
Valley and the Potwar Plateau.
The Mesolithic period (10,000 BCE to 8,000
BCE) saw a shift towards a more settled way of life as humans began domesticating animals and cultivating crops. The Neolithic period (8,000 BCE to
4,500 BCE) saw further development in agriculture and the emergence of the
Indus Valley civilization.
The Indus Valley civilization, also known
as the Harappa civilization, was one of the earliest civilizations in the
world, with a well-planned urban layout, sophisticated drainage systems, and a
writing system that has yet to be fully deciphered. The civilization flourished
from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE and was located in present-day Pakistan and north-western
India.
The Iron Age in Pakistan saw the emergence
of various kingdoms and empires, including the Gandhara Kingdom and the Mauryan
Empire. These empires saw significant advancements in the fields of art,
architecture, literature, and science, and played a crucial role in shaping the
cultural and social landscape of Pakistan.
Overall, prehistoric Pakistan was a period
of significant cultural and technological development, and its impact can still
be felt today. (S.S)
