Funday Times

Gaveshaka describes the lifestyles of the pre-historic man
The development of tool technology
The pre-historic man followed his life support systems to find food through hunting, gathering and foraging. Animals were hunted either individually or collectively. Even dead animals were used as food by burning them in fire. The frequently hunted animals were cattle, sambhur, deer, mouse deer, leopard, porcupine and squirrel. Birds and jungle fowl as well as water animals like the tortoise were not spared. Reptiles, marine and fresh water fish, snails and shells were also used as food.

From the Paleolithic Period, we move on to the Mesolithic Period which represents the last phase of the hunting and food gathering life style of man. After this period we notice the domestication of animals and agriculture in many countries.

In Sri Lanka, the Mesolithic Period, also known as 'Balangoda Culture', is dated between 30,000 and 3000 years prior to the present day. This era is associated with Iranamadu formations and sandy shores and caves. The developed stage of stone implements is exemplified by geometric microliths of extremely sharp arrow heads.

The Mesolithic man is popularly known as the Balangoda Man and the present day Veddahs are considered to be their descendants. Mesolithic cave sites and tools found in them are displayed in a panel which identifies four caves sites - Fahiyangala and Belilena, Kitulgala (top left & right) and Kalmatiya and Aligama, Sigirya (bottom left & right). The tools have been categoried into three - grilled shells (left corner), triangle shaped microliths (centre) and trapezium microliths (right).

Tool technology is illustrated through an interesting panel. The narrative states that in Sri Lanka, the pre-historic man used quartz ('tiruvana' in Sinhala) and chert ('kahanda') for the preparation of stone tools. Smaller quantities of granite and gneiss ('kalu gal') too were used.

In the Lower Paleolithic Period, the stone tools were prepared in the original shape of the stone or with minor changes. Gradually changes were made and by Mid-Paleolithic Period, tools were chiseled into pieces in order to increase their usage.

In the Mesolithic Period, tool technology was termed a microlithic industry. There were distinct features in these. The tools were smaller in size. The sharpness of blades was another feature and the tools were of more efficient quality. They were made in different shapes like crescent, trapezium and triangle in order to increase sharpness.

They were also more complex. The blades were fixed on to wooden, animal horn or animal bone handles. There were grinders with holes and tools for producing fire. Needles and spoons were turned out from animal bones and horns. The selection of material and the different techniques used in making tools are illustrated in the panel.

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