Prehistoric India - Stuart Piggott

In Prehistoric India, distinguished archaeologist Stuart Piggott presents an accessible survey of the Indian subcontinent before the emergence of recorded history. Drawing on archaeological discoveries from the Palaeolithic through to the Bronze Age, he traces the development of early human settlement, stone tool industries, farming communities and the rise of the remarkable Indus Valley Civilization. Piggott places India's prehistoric cultures within the wider context of Asia and the ancient Near East, highlighting both their distinctive achievements and their connections with neighbouring regions.

The book examines major archaeological sites, material culture, burial practices, early technology and the environmental conditions that shaped prehistoric life across the subcontinent. Particular attention is given to the urban planning, craftsmanship and trade networks of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, while also considering the unresolved questions surrounding the decline of the Indus civilisation. Written with clarity and scholarly authority, Prehistoric India remains an engaging introduction to the foundations of South Asian archaeology and the ancient cultures that preceded India's recorded history.