Earliest times to 4000 BCE: The Beginnings of Human Society
ca. 460,000 to 220,000 BCE
"Peking Man"     Neolithic China, Yangshao
ca. 10,000 to 2,000 BCE
Paleolithic and Neolithic Japan, Jomon
ca. 50,000 to 300 BCE
Neolithic Korea
ca. 7,000 to 900 BCE
Neolithic Southeast Asia
ca. 7,000 to 1,500
Mesolithic & Neolithic South Asia, Indus Valley / Early Harappan
ca. 9,000 to 1,000 BCE

SOUTH ASIA >4000 BCE

SOUTH ASIA: HISTORY-ARCHAEOLOGY

Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods; Indus Valley/Early Harappan Period

ca. 9,000 to 1,000 BCE
India: A Historical Overview [Asia Society]
Background reading about "the people and characteristics of India's historical eras, from the early Indus River Valley civilization, through the Mughal period to present day."

South Asia, 8,000-2,000 B.C. [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
"South Asia is the center of one of the great ancient civilizations of the world—the Indus Valley/Harappan civilization in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India. Copper metallurgy, stone bead making, and seal carving develop in conjunction with the elaboration of ceramics, some decorated with an early form of writing." With a period overview, list of key events, and three related artworks.

TimelineThe Story of India: Beginnings [PBS]
Excellent annotated timeline with text, images, and video clips throughout.

Pachmari Hills [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A short paragraph about the Pachmari Hills region in Central India, where Mesolithic-period rock paintings have been found.


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