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 from stone to metal progress in history prehistoric age indus valley civilization

Unlike nomadic societies, early civilizations were patriarchal. This shift occurred for all of the following reasons EXCEPT ______________________.

  1. Women were often pregnant and too involved in child care to participate in other activities

  2. Plow-based agriculture required more manual labor

  3. Men were less important in the household, allowing them more time to participate in political and economic activities

  4. Many women became prostitutes and this led to a loss of respect and equality

  5. The growth and importance of professional armies
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  •  Patriarchy is defined as a social system in which the father is the head of the family and men have authority over women and children.
  • The reason that society became more patriarchal was because women were the carriers and bearers of children. In the beginning, women were honored for this but it became a disadvantage later on. 
  • Also a very big portion of the Mesopotamian laws, such as the Hammurabic code, had many laws emphasizing limits and inferiority of the women. Because of this many women were looked down upon and treated as property and a way to keep the civilization going and pass on the family name.
Multiple choice social studies from stone to metal progress in history prehistoric age indus valley civilization

The writing on Oracle bones found in the Yellow River Valley revealed a belief in ____________________.

  1. The ability to predict the future

  2. Reincarnation

  3. The power of ancestors in the afterlife

  4. The healing powers of the Yellow River

  5. Human sacrifice to the Gods
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The desire to know the future has been a constant in human history and the people of China during the Shang Dynasty were no different along these lines than people today. Fortune-telling during the Shang Dynasty was considered an important resource in making decisions, and these 'psychics' were consulted by everyone from the farmer to the king. These fortune-tellers were thought to be in touch with the spirit world of the ancestors who lived with the gods and knew the future. These spirits would communicate with the psychics through the oracle bones.

Multiple choice social studies from stone to metal progress in history prehistoric age indus valley civilization

During which age did humans started producing food grains?

  1. New stone age

  2. Middle stone age

  3. Old stone age

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

Humans started producing foodgrains in the Neolithic age i.e. New Stone Age. The term Neolithic Period refers to the last stage of the Stone Age extending from 4000 BC to 2500 BC. Archaeological evidence indicates that the transition from food-collecting cultures to food-producing ones. Man began to cultivate which is suggested by archaeological evidences across Asia and Europe.

Multiple choice social studies from stone to metal progress in history prehistoric age indus valley civilization

Which statement is best describes the primary reason that historians know less about the early civilizations of sub-Saharan Africa than they do about those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia, and Mesoamerica?

  1. A plague decimated the Bantu population around 1000 B.C.E.

  2. The early sub-Saharan African civilizations did not develop a system of writing.

  3. The destruction that followed a series of barbarian invasions wiped out most of the historical record of the Kush empire.

  4. The sub-Saharan African climate is not conducive to the preservation of historical artifacts.

  5. Linguists have not been able to decipher the system of writing used during sub-Saharan Africa's early history.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The early sub-Saharan African civilizations did not develop a system of writing is best describes the primary reason that historians know less about the early civilizations of sub-Saharan Africa than they do about those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia and Mesoamerica.

Multiple choice history ancient cities of tamilagam preservation of our heritage preserving indian heritage applied history

Who discovered the Paleolithic tools at Pallavaram near Chennai for the first time?

  1. Howard Carter

  2. Mary Leakey

  3. Sir Robert Bruce Foote

  4. Charles Lyell
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sir Robert Bruce Foote was a British geologist and archaeologist who discovered the first Paleolithic tools at Pallavaram in 1863. This discovery marked the beginning of prehistoric studies in India.

Multiple choice evs - ii historic period ancient civilizations in river valleys cultural heritage of india: sculpture and architecture sculpture and architecture ancient civilisations of the world egyptian, mesopotamian, and chinese civilization other ancient civilizations of the world

Which of the following were among the objects of terracotta fashioned by the Harrapans?
1. Bullal 
2. Toys 
3. Votive animals 
4. Axe heads 
5. Human forms 
6. Pipal leaves

  1. 1, 2 & 4

  2. 4, 5 & 6

  3. 2, 3 & 5

  4. 3, 4 & 6
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Harappan terracotta art included various figures such as toys, votive animals, and human forms. Axe heads were typically made of metal, not terracotta.

Multiple choice history cultural heritage of india: sculpture and architecture ancient civilizations in river valleys historic period sculpture and architecture

What are the evidence found regarding the decline of the Harappan civilization? Consider the statements:
1. Silt is there in Harappa because of wind section which brought sand and slit. Houses and streets covered by slit deposits up to 30 ft above ground level.
2. Human skeletons have been found lying on the streets.

 Which of the above 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
C Correct answer
Explanation

Both statements reflect theories regarding the decline of Harappa, including environmental factors like siltation and evidence of sudden abandonment or conflict.

Multiple choice evs - ii historic period ancient civilizations in river valleys cultural heritage of india: sculpture and architecture sculpture and architecture ancient civilisations of the world egyptian, mesopotamian, and chinese civilization other ancient civilizations of the world

The utensils of the Indus Valley people were mainly made of _____.

  1. clay

  2. copper

  3. bronze

  4. brass
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While they used metal, the vast majority of everyday utensils and pottery in the Indus Valley were made of clay (terracotta).

Multiple choice evs - ii historic period ancient civilizations in river valleys cultural heritage of india: sculpture and architecture sculpture and architecture ancient civilisations of the world egyptian, mesopotamian, and chinese civilization other ancient civilizations of the world

The invention of craft of spinning and weaving is associated with

  1. Middle Stone Age

  2. Early Stone age

  3. Neolithic Age

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

The development of spinning and weaving is associated with the Neolithic Age, as this period saw the transition to settled agriculture and the production of textiles.

Multiple choice evs - ii historic period ancient civilizations in river valleys cultural heritage of india: sculpture and architecture sculpture and architecture ancient civilisations of the world egyptian, mesopotamian, and chinese civilization other ancient civilizations of the world

The people of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro culture belonged to the _________.

  1. New Stone Age

  2. Copper Age

  3. Iron Age

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

The Indus Valley Civilization is classified as a Bronze Age civilization, which falls under the broader Chalcolithic (Copper-Stone) period, as they used both stone and copper/bronze tools.

Multiple choice history the river valley civilisations: egyptian, mesopotamian and chinese civilisation ancient civilisations of the world egyptian, mesopotamian, and chinese civilization other ancient civilizations of the world

The chief weapon of the nomads of Central Asia was the __________.

  1. sword

  2. composite bow.

  3. lance

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

The composite bow was the primary and most effective weapon of Central Asian nomadic warriors, allowing them to shoot accurately while riding horses at high speeds.

Multiple choice history the river valley civilisations: egyptian, mesopotamian and chinese civilisation ancient civilisations of the world egyptian, mesopotamian, and chinese civilization other ancient civilizations of the world

Mesopotamian were the first to make _____________.

  1. Copper

  2. Bronze items

  3. Iron

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

Mesopotamian civilizations are credited with early advancements in metallurgy, specifically the creation of bronze by alloying copper and tin, which revolutionized tools and weaponry.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment unequal distribution of resources protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Which one is not a resource for Onge tribe?

  1. Water

  2. Food

  3. Gold

  4. Wood
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Onge tribe belongs to the Andaman islands. In tribes language, Onge means the perfect man. The other 2 tribes of Andaman islands are Jarawa and Great Andamanese. The resources in Onge tribe include water, food, wood. Gold is not a resource for Onge tribe. 

Thus, the correct answer is 'Gold.'