Question

The developments in the fields of agriculture, pottery and metal tools are considered a landmark in the fife of Megafithic period-Substantiate.

Answer 1

• Agriculture

1. People practiced agriculture, domesticated cattle and sheep.
2. Millets and rice were cultivated.
3. Irrigation management developed, since many of the megalithic sites are found nearby rivers and tanks.
4. In the deltaic region, irrigation as a technology had developed.
5. Evidence of rice is seen in the megalithic sites like Adichanallur in Thoothukudi district and Porunthal near Palani.

• Pottery:

1. Pottery is an important evidence found in the archaeological sites.
2. The iron age and sangam age people used the black and red colours to make blackware and redware pottery.
3. Potteries were used for cooking, storage and dining purposes.
4. The black and redware pottery has a black inside and a red outside, with lustrous surfaces.

• Metal tools:

1. Weapons such as swords and daggers, axes, chisels, lamps and tripod stands are also found.
2. The iron tools were used for agriculture, hunting and gathering and in battles.