Early Human and Prehistoric Cultures

The presence of writing systems.

Mesoamerican civilization, the complex of indigenous cultures that developed in parts of Mexico and Central America prior to Spanish exploration and conquest in the 16th century. In the organization of its kingdoms and empires, the sophistication of its monuments and cities, and the extent and refinement of its intellectual accomplishments.

The Khonds came to the limelight during the British Raj for their Rebellion against the British intrusion into their territories for timber in 1836. The British sought to project their invasion of tribal territories as a civilizing mission to prevent for the practice of human sacrifice by the Kondhs.

The origin of primitive man or early hominid is believed to be have happened in southwestern Africa. Several theories propose that early homo sapiens evolved in Africa, and later migrated in other parts of the world.

The correct answer is A.

Australopithecus fossils found in East Africa (Ethiopia/Tanzania) are known for being bipedal (walking upright) and relatively short, fitting the description provided.

Historic period begins with the advent of writing. The period before the advent of writing is known as prehistory. In India, writing was introduced during the Harappan period, however the script is yet to be deciphered. Therefore, the period is termed as proto-historic period.

The skull of a baby chimpanzee is more similar to an adult chimpanzee's skull than an adult human's skull due to different growth trajectories and cranial development patterns.

The Chalcolithic period, or Copper Age, was an era of transition between the stone tool-using farmers of the Neolithic and the metal-obsessed civilizations of the Bronze Age. The Copper Age was really a phenomenon of the eastern Mediterranean regions, and occurred from roughly 3500 to 2000 BCE. The people of the chalcolithic phase used different types of pottery, one of which is called black-and-red and seems to have been widely prevalent from nearly 2000 B.C. onwards. It was thrown on wheel and occasionally painted with white linear designs. Hence, Option A is correct. In India, it spanned around 2000 BC to 700 BC. Hence, 3000 BC is prior to the chalcolithic phase in India, 500 BC is post-chalcolithic phase, 1000 BC falls within the chalcolithic phase, hence, incorrect. 

The Stone Age is traditionally divided into three periods based on the development of stone tool technology: the Paleolithic (Early), Mesolithic (Middle), and Neolithic (Late/New) ages.

The period from 12,000 years to around 10,000 years is called the Middle Stone Age. The implements of this period are generally very small and hence they are called delicate stone implements. Man used to fashion handles from delicate stone for weapons made from bone and wood. He used those implements as axes and saws. These types of tools are also known as micro wears.

There are many sites in which stone tool remains have been found. Most of these sites have been discovered along the banks of rivers and lakes. Furthermore, since stone implements were essential for the survival of people of that age, they chose areas abundant with the raw material which could fulfill their needs. Areas, where people used stones to create various implements, have been thought to be industrial sites or factory sites.

Since the prehistoric period predates the invention of writing, historians rely entirely on archaeological remains (tools, pottery, bones, etc.) to study this era.

The Paleolithic lasted from 2.6 million years ago to about 12,000 years ago. The word Palaeolithic derives from the Greek: palaios (old) and lithikos (relating to or composed of stone), means 'old age of the stone'. It is also more generally associated with the cultures and lifestyles of the hunter-gatherers who produced stone tools.