110. The ‘Mesolithic Age’ is regarded as a transitional phase because it represents the shift between which two prehistoric periods?
[RRB NTPC (UG) – 2026]
A. Bronze Age and Iron Age
B. Palaeolithic Age and Neolithic Age
C. Neolithic Age and Chalcolithic Age
D. Chalcolithic Age and Iron Age
Answer: B. Palaeolithic Age and Neolithic Age
Explanation: The Mesolithic Age bridged the hunting-gathering Palaeolithic and food-producing Neolithic phases. Microlithic tools, diversified subsistence and increasing sedentism characterised this important transition.
109. Microlithic tools became a characteristic feature during which phase of prehistory in India?
[RRB NTPC (UG) – 2026]
A. Middle Palaeolithic
B. Lower Palaeolithic
C. Early Iron Age
D. Mesolithic
Answer: D. Mesolithic
Explanation: Microliths were tiny, carefully shaped stone tools commonly made from chert, chalcedony or jasper. They became the defining technological feature of India’s Mesolithic cultures.
108. Mesolithic societies occupy a transitional position between Palaeolithic and Neolithic phases. Which configuration best captures this shift?
[UP PGT History – 2026]
A. Metallurgy, urban growth and regulated long-distance trade
B. Intensive agriculture, irrigation and permanently planned settlements
C. Large core tools, big-game hunting and completely nomadic life
D. Microlithic technology, diversified subsistence and semi-sedentary adaptation
Answer: D. Microlithic technology, diversified subsistence and semi-sedentary adaptation
Explanation: Mesolithic communities adopted small specialised tools and exploited a wider range of food resources. Some became increasingly semi-sedentary before full agricultural village life emerged.
107. Match the following prehistoric stages with their characteristic features:
[UP PGT History – 2026]
Palaeolithic — I. Microliths and semi-nomadic foraging
Mesolithic — II. Polished tools and food production
Neolithic — III. Handaxes, cleavers and foraging
Late Neolithic–Chalcolithic — IV. Pottery, sedentism and early metallurgy
A. Palaeolithic-I, Mesolithic-III, Neolithic-II, Chalcolithic-IV
B. Palaeolithic-II, Mesolithic-I, Neolithic-III, Chalcolithic-IV
C. Palaeolithic-III, Mesolithic-II, Neolithic-I, Chalcolithic-IV
D. Palaeolithic-III, Mesolithic-I, Neolithic-II, Chalcolithic-IV
Answer: D. Palaeolithic-III, Mesolithic-I, Neolithic-II, Chalcolithic-IV
Explanation: Palaeolithic cultures used large flaked tools; Mesolithic cultures specialised in microliths; Neolithic communities developed polished tools and farming; Chalcolithic societies added early metal technology.
106. Extensive pit dwellings have been identified at which two Neolithic sites?
[UPSC CDS-I – 2026]
A. Piklihal and Maski
B. Chirand and Tekkalkota
C. Kodekal and Hallur
D. Burzahom and Gufkral
Answer: D. Burzahom and Gufkral
Explanation: Burzahom and Gufkral in Kashmir are famous for subterranean pit houses. Such dwellings probably provided insulation against the region’s severe winter temperatures.
105. Which one of the following is a Neolithic site?
[UPSC CDS-I – 2026]
A. Bhimbetka
B. Utnur
C. Adamgarh
D. Birbhanpur
Answer: B. Utnur
Explanation: Utnur is an important southern Neolithic site associated especially with ash mounds and cattle pastoralism. The other sites are better known for earlier prehistoric occupations.
104. Bhimbetka Palaeolithic site is located near which river valley of India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate – 2026]
A. Yamuna
B. Narmada
C. Ganga
D. Sutlej
Answer: B. Narmada
Explanation: Bhimbetka lies in Madhya Pradesh near the Narmada basin and Vindhyan region. Its shelters preserve an exceptionally long sequence of prehistoric occupation and rock art.
103. The archaeological site of Langhnaj in Gujarat, known for microlithic tools and hunter-gatherer communities, belongs to which prehistoric cultural phase?
[RRB NTPC Graduate – 2026]
A. Chalcolithic
B. Palaeolithic
C. Mesolithic
D. Neolithic
Answer: C. Mesolithic
Explanation: Langhnaj is one of western India’s best-known Mesolithic sites. Archaeologists have recovered microliths, animal remains and human skeletons revealing the lifestyle of hunter-gatherer communities.
102. What is the main characteristic of the Prehistoric period in India?
[Delhi Police Head Constable AWO/TPO – 2026]
A. Availability of extensive written records
B. Stone tools and absence of writing
C. Exclusive use of metal tools
D. Extensive circulation of coins
Answer: B. Stone tools and absence of writing
Explanation: Prehistory covers human societies before written records became available. Archaeologists therefore reconstruct this period mainly through stone tools, bones, settlements, pottery and other material remains.
101. The widespread use of microliths and early signs of domestication in India are characteristic of which prehistoric phase?
[Delhi Police Head Constable Ministerial – 2026]
A. Palaeolithic
B. Mesolithic
C. Neolithic
D. Chalcolithic
Answer: B. Mesolithic
Explanation: Mesolithic communities widely used microliths and gradually developed closer relationships with animals. These changes anticipated the more developed domestication and food production of the Neolithic.