In Tamil Nadu, the Neolithic period had its advent around 2500 BCE. Archaeological evidence suggests that the microlithic period lasted between 6000вЂ“3000 BCE. In 1949, researchers found such microliths in Tirunelveli district. The material used by the early humans to make these tools were jasper, agate, flint, quartz, etc. From about 10,000 years ago, humans made still smaller tools called Microlithic tools. The ancestor of modern humans ( Homo sapiens) who appeared around 50,000 years ago was more developed and could make thinner flake tools and blade-like tools using a variety of stones. ДЄ discovery of a rare fossilized baby brain in Viluppuram district, by a team of archaeologists was reported in April 2003, It is estimated to be about 187,000 years - 200,000 years or older.

In Attirampakkam, archaeologists from the Sharma Centre for Heritage Education excavated ancient stone tools which suggests that a humanlike population existed in the Tamil Nadu region somewhere around 300,000 years before homo sapiens arrived from Africa. Pre-modern humans in South India, belonging to the species of Homo erectus, lived in this primitive 'old stone age' (Palaeolithic) for quite a long time, using only crude implements such as hand axes and choppers and subsisting as hunter-gatherers. The population density was very low and so far only two localities of this lower Palaeolithic culture have been found in south India. After the independence of India, after the Telugu and Malayalam parts of Madras state were separated from Tamilagam state in 1956, it was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1968 by the state government.ДЇurther information: Prehistoric South India, Prehistory of Sri Lanka, South Asian Stone Age, Bronze Age India, and Iron Age India Palaeolithic ДЇor most of the Lower Palaeolithic stage, pre-modern humans lived close to river valleys with sparse forest cover or in grassland environments. Rapid changes in the political situation of the rest of India occurred due to incursions of Muslim armies from the northwest and the decline of the three ancient dynasties during the 14th century, The Madras Presidency, comprising most of southern India, was created in the 18th century and was ruled directly by the British. The Chola navy held sway over the Sri Vijaya kingdom in Southeast Asia. At its height the Chola empire spanned almost 3,600,000В kmВІ (1,389,968 sq mi) straddling the Bay of Bengal. The Cholas who re-emerged from obscurity in the 9th century by defeating the Pallavas and the Pandyas rose to become a great power and extended their empire over the entire southern peninsula. These occupiers were overthrown by the resurgence of the Pandyas and the Pallavas, who restored the traditional kingdoms. Invasion by the Kalabhras during the 3rd century disturbed the traditional order of the land, displacing the three ruling kingdoms. These three dynasties were in constant struggle with each other vying for hegemony over the land. Together they ruled over this land with a unique culture and language, contributing to the growth of some of the oldest extant literature in the world. The three ancient Tamil dynasties namely Chera, Chola, and Pandya were of ancient origins. Throughout its history, spanning the early Upper Paleolithic age to modern times, this region has coexisted with various external cultures. The region of Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam, in the southeast of modern India, shows evidence of having had continuous human habitation from 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE.

Tamil script evolution