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.
Timeline • The 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.