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

Which of the following is true regarding the Paleolithic age?

  1. The Palaeolithic humans hunted collectively

  2. The stronger among the group led the group

  3. There was no gender difference in hunting

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

The Paleolithic Era is significant because people established the process of hunting-gathering, which has supported humans for the majority of their existence on earth. The Paleolithic Era also involved the development of simple tools, including the hand ax, and tool-making industries

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

What kind of information we get from cave paintings?

  1. Evidence for planning of hunting ground and prey by early humans

  2. Early humans collectively engaged in recreational activities

  3. Dexterity of early humans

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Cave painting is significant because it was what people in prehistoric times did in order to record history and culture.
As it provides all the information about -
1. Dexterity of early humans
2. Early humans collectively engaged in recreational activities
3. Evidence for the planning of hunting ground and prey by early humans.
Multiple choice social studies early human life pre-historic india beginning of human life early man: the stone age

The pre-historic man used _______ as axes to chop down trees and cut them up into logs.

  1. Stone

  2. Wood

  3. Bones

  4. Metal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A 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. Pre historic man used stone tools to cut wooden logs.

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

In Chalcolithic age, In addition to the stone tools, the people of this period made _______ as well.

  1. iron tools

  2. copper tools

  3. bronze tools

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

The Chalcolithic age was a transition period from the Stone Age (Neolithic) to Metal Age. The first metal to be used was copper. It was used with the stone for making pins and simple implements.The transition is thought to have taken place gradually in the late 7th millennium BCE. It is also called Stone-Copper age.

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

How was man in nomadic stage?

  1. Stable

  2. Secure

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Man has moved from a nomadic stage to a settled social life. A stable and secure community life is necessary for the development of the individual as well as society. In the nomadic stage, man did not have this stability and security. They were continuously on move in search of food and shelter from wild animals and other predators.

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

The Chalcolithic age was a transition period from the __________ to the ________.

  1. Silver Age, Gold Age

  2. Silver Age, Copper Age

  3. Copper Age, Bronze Age

  4. Stone Age, Metal Age
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Chalcolithic age was a transition period from the Stone Age (Neolithic) to Metal Age. The first metal to be used was copper. The transition is thought to have taken place gradually in the late 7th millennium BCE. The largest site of the Chalcolithic period is Diamabad situated on the left bank of the Pravara River.

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

One of the remarkable achievements of the Neolithic Period was the invention of wheel. It brought a rapid progress in man's life. The wheel was used in horse-carts and bullock-carts that helped man a lot to carry heavy loads. Therefore, in this period transport became quite easy and quick.
The wheel was also used for spinning and weaving. It also helped in pottery. Man made beautiful pots to keep food grains and storing water.
The tools and weapons of the Neolithic Age better and sharper than the Paleolithic Age. Now a polished stone called celt was used to make tools. Some new developed tools like sickles, bows and arrows and improved axes were made in the Neolithic Age. These tools were used for various purposes like, the axe was used for various purposes like, the axe was used for cutting down trees, sickles to harvest the crops and arrows to kill animals.
Read the passage and answer the question.
What was the most significant discovery of the Neolithic Period?

  1. Invention of wheel

  2. Sharper tools

  3. Axes for cutting of trees

  4. Horse - carts
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • The term Neolithic Period refers to the last stage of the Stone Age. The Neolithic period is significant for its megalithic architecture, the spread of agricultural practices, pottery and the use of polished stone tools. 
  • The invention of the wheel came into being during the Neolithic age. It was not used for transportation, though, but rather as a potter's wheel. 
  • The combination of the wheel and axle made possible early forms of transportation, which became more sophisticated over time with the development of other technologies.
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).