History · General Awareness

Early Human and Prehistoric Cultures

1,788 Questions

Early human and prehistoric cultures focus on the lifestyle and evolution of humans before written records. This includes the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras, focusing on inventions, agriculture, and migration patterns. These questions are a core part of ancient history in civil services exams.

Paleolithic eraNeolithic revolutionEarly human migrationInvention of agriculturePrehistoric social structuresMesolithic societies

Early Human and Prehistoric Cultures Questions

Multiple choice

Match the following: Age Characteristics of tools1. Paleolithic A. well-shaped

  1. Neolithic B. Shaped but not polished
  2. Mesolithic C. well-shaped,sharp,polished

  1. A-1,B-2,C-3

  2. A-1,B-3,C-2

  3. A-2,B-3,C-1

  4. A-3,B-2,C-1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Paleolithic tools are generally rough and shaped (B), Neolithic tools are well-shaped, sharp, and polished (C), and Mesolithic tools are well-shaped (A) but smaller. Matching these leads to A-1, B-3, C-2.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true?

  1. The New Stone age extends from 8000-4000B.C.

  2. ‘Microliths' were implements used in Neolithic Age.

  3. Use of fire began in Neolithic Age.

  4. The term ‘Neolithic' was coined by Sir John Lubbock.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sir John Lubbock coined the terms Paleolithic and Neolithic in his 1865 book Pre-historic Times. The other options contain incorrect dates or misattributed technological advancements.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements: 1.We can distinguish between a Copper Age and the early Iron Age in North India. 2.In South India, Iron Age immediately succeeded the Stone Age,we find no traces of the intermediate Copper Age.

  1. Both 1&2 are correct.

  2. Both 1&2 are incorrect.

  3. Only 1 is correct.

  4. Only 2 is correct.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In North India, there is a clear transition from Copper Age (Chalcolithic) to Iron Age. In South India, however, the transition is often direct from the Neolithic to the Iron Age (Megalithic), skipping the Copper Age.

Multiple choice

The earliest place where agriculture began is

  1. Nile valley

  2. Northern India plain

  3. China River Valley

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Nile Valley is historically recognized as one of the earliest cradles of civilization where organized agriculture began.

Multiple choice

Agriculture originated about

  1. 17,000 - 23,000 years ago

  2. 27,000 - 33,000 years ago

  3. 7,000 - 13,000 years ago

  4. 700 - 1,300 years ago
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Scientific consensus places the origin of agriculture in the Neolithic period, approximately 10,000 years ago, which falls within the 7,000 to 13,000 years ago range.

Multiple choice

New stone age is called _____

  1. Chavian

  2. Chin

  3. Horses

  4. Neolithic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is characterized by the development of agriculture, the domestication of animals, and the use of polished stone tools.

Multiple choice

Modern man differs from apes in

  1. protruding eyes

  2. arms shorter than legs

  3. sparse body hair

  4. wearing of clothes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Modern man differs from apes in arms shorter than legs.

Multiple choice

In Homo habilis, habilis refers to

  1. wandering species

  2. ancient man

  3. modern man

  4. tool maker
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The word habilis is based on a Latin word meaning ‘handy’ or ‘skilful’. This species known as ‘handy man’ because stone tools were found near its fossil remains and it is assumed this species had developed the ability to modify stone into tools.