Palaeolithic hunters in the Shivaliks

Hand-axes and cleavers of Soan-type industry have been recovered from the Banganga valley (Kangra), the Sirsa and Markanda valleys (Nalagarh and Sirmaur), the Swan valley (Una) and near Guler and Dehra. These are the earliest traces of human presence in the state.

Later neolithic and chalcolithic material comes from the same Shivalik belt. The hill interiors preserve almost nothing prehistoric — settlement follows the low valleys.