History · General Awareness

Early Human and Prehistoric Cultures

1,700 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 social studies early human life pre-historic india beginning of human life early man: the stone age

Why did Neanderthals started wearing leather clothing?

  1. They find it fashionable

  2. This was a social norm during those days

  3. To protect themselves from freezing temperatures

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

Neanderthals (or Neanderthals) are our closest extinct human relatives. They emerged at least 200,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. They lived during the Ice Age and to protect themselves from cold they started wearing leather clothing and took shelter in limestone caves.

Multiple choice social studies early human life pre-historic india beginning of human life early man: the stone age

The pre-historic man probably made tools made of _________.

  1. Stone

  2. Bone

  3. Wood

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

The period before the discovery of the art of writing is called the Prehistoric age. This is so because we do not find evidence of the linguistic development or the use of scripts. In this age, man was a nomad and indulged in hunting and food-gathering. Archaeologists have discovered few tools created and used by these people. Probably they used tools made of stone, wood and bones. Among these, only tools made of stone have survived today, providing us the sources for study. 

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Bhimbetka caves show the continuity of human evolution from the Lower Palaeolithic period to the Mesolithic period and further to the Chalcolithic period. Why?
$1$. They contain evidence of the use of tools and instruments from all these periods.
$2$. These are a large number of Shankhalipi inscriptions in the Bhimbetka cluster of rock shelters.
Which of the given is/are correct?

  1. $1$ only
  2. $2$ only
  3. Both $1$ and $2$

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bhimbetka is famous for its rock paintings and archaeological evidence spanning from the Palaeolithic to the Mesolithic periods. While Shankhalipi inscriptions exist at the site, they are generally associated with later historical periods, not the prehistoric evolution sequence.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Which of the following described Mesolithic age?
$1$. The use of larger stones as tools was the characteristic features.
$2$. Smaller animals were hunted in general.
Choose the correct answer using the codes.

  1. $1$ only
  2. $2$ only
  3. Both $1$ and $2$
  4. Neither $1$ nor $2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Mesolithic period is characterized by the use of microliths (very small stone tools) rather than larger stones. Hunting smaller animals became more common due to the changing climate and environment.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Which of the following is NOT true about Neolithic age?

  1. Signs of village communities appeared for the first time during this period

  2. Mud bricks houses were built instead of grass huts

  3. Pottery as a craft appeared for the first time during this period

  4. Paintings for the first time arose during this period
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rock paintings were created long before the Neolithic age, dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods (e.g., Bhimbetka). Therefore, it is incorrect to say they appeared for the first time during the Neolithic.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Consider the following statements:
$1$. Middle Palaeolithic culture was quite widespread phenomenon between $6,00,000$ and $60,000$ BCE.
$2$. Some of the most important sites of Middle Palaeolithic period are Bhimbetka, Nevasa, Pushkar, Rohiri hills of upper Sind, and Sannapur on Narmada.
Which of the given is/are correct?

  1. $1$ only
  2. $2$ only
  3. Both $1$ and $2$
  4. Neither $1$ nor $2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Middle Palaeolithic period is well-documented in India with sites like Bhimbetka and Nevasa. The timeframe provided is consistent with archaeological consensus for this period.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Arrange the following in chronological order:
$1$. Palaeolithic period
$2$. Mesolithic period
$3$. Neolithic period
$4$. Metal period
Select the correct answer using the codes.

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

The chronological order of human development is Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age), followed by Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), Neolithic (New Stone Age), and finally the Metal Age (Chalcolithic/Bronze/Iron).

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Consider the following statements:
(1) The Mesolithic people used the sledge as a means of transport over snow and ice.
(2) During Neolithic, man got the idea of making and baking pottery.
Which of the above statements is/are true?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sledge was used by prehistoric people in cold regions. Pottery making and baking were indeed major technological advancements of the Neolithic period.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

In which of the following Era communities represent Jorwe culture?

  1. Vedic Era

  2. Chalcolithic Era

  3. Paleolithic Era

  4. Later Vedic Era
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Jorwe culture is a prominent Chalcolithic archaeological culture that existed in the Deccan region of India. It is characterized by its distinct painted pottery and copper tools, placing it firmly within the Chalcolithic Era.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

In context with the Neolithic settlements in Indian subcontinent. Consider the following statements.
$1.$ The oldest Neolithic settlements is not older than $5000\ BC$.
$2.$ The people in these settlements mostly used polished tools.
$3.$ The cultivated wheat as well as barley.
$4.$ They domesticated sheep as well as goats.
Which among the above statement(s) are correct?

  1. $1, 2$ and $3$
  2. $2, 3$ and $4$
  3. $2$ and $3$
  4. Only $2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Neolithic settlements in the Indian subcontinent generally date back to around 7000 BC (e.g., Mehrgarh), making statement 1 incorrect. Statements 2, 3, and 4 correctly describe the Neolithic lifestyle, which involved the use of polished stone tools, cultivation of wheat and barley, and the domestication of animals like sheep and goats.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

The remains of Neolithic pit-dwellings were found at:
$1.$ Burzhom
$2.$ Gufkral
$3.$ Kuchai
$4.$ Mahagra
Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

  1. $1$ and $4$
  2. $2$ and $3$
  3. $3$ and $4$
  4. $1$ and $2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Burzahom and Gufkral, both located in Kashmir, are famous for their Neolithic pit-dwellings. These structures were built to protect inhabitants from the cold climate of the region.

Multiple choice introduction to ancient history and pre - historic period ancient indian history general knowledge

Old Stone Age sites have been an important topic of cultural studies in the Indian subcontinent. Which of the following general observations about them is CORRECT?
$1$. These sites are generally located near water sources.
$2$. Most of these sites are concentrated in Southern India with the exception of Siwalik hills and Bhimbetka.
Which of the given is/are correct?

  1. $1$ only
  2. $2$ only
  3. Both $1$ and $2$

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Justification:
Statement 11: This may be because water sources were the lifeline of the Old Stone Age people and thus the communities lived and hunted close to water sources.
Statement 22: This is incorrect because several caves and rock shelters used by the Palaeolithic-people are scattered across the Indian subcontinent.
Few famous sites of Old Stone Age in India are:
∙∙ The Potwar Plateau and Soan Valley in the northwest India
∙∙ The Siwalik Hills in the North India
∙∙ Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh
∙∙ Adamgarh hill in Narmada Valley
∙∙ Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh
∙∙ Attirampakkam near Chennai.

Multiple choice geography population and settlement urbanisation and people urbanisation : causes and consequences industrialisation and urbanisation

Early man chose the settlement sites based on which of the following resources?

  1. Sand

  2. Water

  3. Stones

  4. Trees
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Early man chose the place of settlement based on the availability of water. Great civilisations like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro flourished on the banks of river. Water is the basic source for leading a life because, apart from serving for drinking purpose, water is also required for cultivation.