The document outlines the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, detailing their geological timelines, climatic conditions, and the evolution of human beings during these periods. It describes the colder and drier climate of the Pleistocene, characterized by ice sheets and the extinction of many vertebrates, followed by the warmer Holocene epoch, which led to significant human development, agriculture, and cultural expansion. Key phases such as glacials, interglacials, and periods of human evolution are also highlighted.

1. Outline of Pleistocene
and Holocene climate
Dr. Virag G. Sontakke
Assistant Professor
AIHC & Archaeology, BHU

2. Pleistocene and
Holocene climate

4. Geological Time Scale
https://youtu.be/2KjqHfemon8

5. Pleistocene and Holocene Period

6. Pleistocene period
• Period started : 2,588,000 years ago
• The Pleistocene ended 11,700 years ago.
• Man appears in Pleistocene period
• Pleistocene known as the ice age
• The name Pleistocene is the combination of
two Greek words: pleistos (most)
and kainos (new/ recent).
• It was first used in 1839 by Sir Charles Lyell, a
British geologist and lawyer.

8. Pleistocene
• At the time of the Pleistocene, the continents had
moved to their current positions.
• Sheets of ice covered all of Antarctica, large parts of
Europe, North America, and South America, and
small areas in Asia.
• Overall, the climate was much colder and drier than it
is today.
• Since most of the water on Earth's surface was ice,
there was little precipitation and rainfall.
• The Pleistocene Epoch is the first in
which Homo evolved.
• At the end of the epoch humans could be found in
nearly every part of the planet.

9. Geological Time Scale
https://youtu.be/5Prp5iYFu4w

11. Pleistocene In Europe
GLACIERS
1. Gunj
2. Mindel
3. Riss
4. WURM
INTER-GLACIERS
1. Gunj- Mindel
2. Mindel-Riss
3. Riss-Wurm
Penk & Bruckner

12. Changing Climate Patterns of the Pleistocene Epoch
Pleistocene Epoch
Epoch
Climate
Years Ago *
(approximate)
Regional Name for Climate
Stage
European Alps
Holocene Interglacial 10,000 to the present
Pleistocene
Glacial 110-70,000 to 12-10,000 Würm
Interglacial 130-125,000 to 110,000 Riss-Würm
Glacial 200,000 to 130-125,000 Riss
Interglacial 380-300,000 to 200,000 Mindel-Riss
Glacial 455-410,000 to 380-300,000 Mindel
Interglacial 620,000 to 455-410,000 Günz-Mindel
Glacial 680,000 to 620,000 Günz
Evidence of glacial and interglacial episodes during the early Pleistocene
is less clear. However, it is believed that there were 2 or more glacials with
intervening interglacials. Between the Pleistocene and the preceding
Pliocene Epoch was a long period of gradual cooling.
Pliocene 5.3-2.6 million years ago--mostly warmer conditions than the Pleistocene

13. Pleistocene In Africa
Pluvial (अतिवृष्टि)
Pluvial
1. Kageran Pluvial
2. Camasian Pluvial
3. Gamblian Pluvial
Inter-Pluvial
• First Inter-Pluvial
• Second Inter-Pluvial
• Third Inter-Pluvial

14. Life during the Ice Age
• Man evolved in harsh climate conditions of
this period.
• Many vertebrates became extinct during this
period.
• Mammals including apes, cattle, deer, rabbits,
kangaroos, wallabies, bears, and members of
the canine and feline families found during
this time.
• Birds flourished during this period, including
members of the duck, geese, hawk and eagle
families.

15. Paleolithic periods in
Pleistocene
Whole Paleolithic Period
Large time of human History
1. Lower Paleolithic
2. Middle Paleolithic
3. Upper Paleolithic

16. Acheulean toolkit
Handaxe
• Hand-axe was basically a core-tool and was
produced by knocking off flake systematically
from several directions
• Hand-axe was used by hand rather than a
handle.

17. Handaxe

18. Tools of
Middle Paleolithic

19. Holocene Period

21. Holocene
• The Holocene Epoch is the current period of
geologic time.
• As Earth entered a warming trend, the glaciers
of the late Palaeolithic move away.
• As the climate changed, the very large
mammals that had adapted to extreme cold,
like mammoth and wooly rhinoceros, became
extinct.
• Humans, once dependent on these “mega
mammals” switched to smaller game.

25. Paleolithic periods in
Holocene
• Mesolithic
• Neolithic
• Transformation in Human beings
• Adaptation to the new favorable climate
• Development in tool-kit
• Availability and extractions of resources

26. Microlithic Tools

28. Holocene
• Agriculture is one of the primary ways in which
human activity has impacted the planet. By 8000
B.C.E.
• The cultivation of wheat, barley and other plants
had started.
• Domestication of sheep, goats and cattle began at
about the same time.
• A population expand.
• Village forming started
• Cultural Expantion.

30. Any
Questions?