The
History of Goa dates back to antiquity.The
Stone Age people were settlers of this ancient land during
circa 10000 - 8000 BC.
Their
rock carvings and rock engravings throw light on their hunting
lifestyle. Later, with improvisation of tools, they became
food gatherers and during the Neolithic period (c. 2500
BC) they adopted agriculture and became food producers.
Proximity to open sea and expertise in navigation saw them
in contact with distant lands like Sumeria.
One
Sumerian King, Gudea of Lagash, called this land as Gubio
(c. 2200 BC). Similarity in the units of measurement in
these two lands and the reference in Gilgamesh (Mesopotamian
epic) to the migration of fish-worshippers and seafarer
community from the east point to the probable close contacts
Goa established with these lands. The Phoenicians arrived
from eastern end of the Mediterranean and settled in Goa
c.1775 BC, imparting a unique mixed culture in Goa.
