10. Which was the basic subsistence pattern of Palaeolithic humans?
[SSC CHSL – 2014]
A. Hunting and food gathering
B. Intensive wet-rice farming
C. Long-distance maritime trade
D. Coin-based commerce
Answer: A. Hunting and food gathering
Explanation: Palaeolithic people primarily survived by hunting wild animals and collecting roots, fruits, seeds and other naturally occurring food resources.
9. The term ‘Old Stone Age’ refers to the:
[Competitive Examination – 2014]
A. Mesolithic
B. Neolithic
C. Palaeolithic
D. Chalcolithic
Answer: C. Palaeolithic
Explanation: Palaeolithic literally denotes the Old Stone Age and represents the earliest and longest major phase of human Stone Age prehistory.
8. Match the prehistoric sites with their states: Hunsgi, Burzahom, Langhnaj and Chirand.
[UPSC CAPF – 2013]
A. Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Bihar
B. Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir
C. Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka
D. Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat
Answer: A. Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Bihar
Explanation: Hunsgi is in Karnataka, Burzahom in Kashmir, Langhnaj in Gujarat and Chirand in Bihar, representing several distinct regional prehistoric traditions.
7. Bone ornaments in a Mesolithic context have been recovered from:
[UP RO/ARO – 2013]
A. Sarai Nahar Rai
B. Mahadaha
C. Harappa
D. Kalibangan
Answer: B. Mahadaha
Explanation: Mahadaha in Uttar Pradesh has yielded rich Mesolithic material, including bone and antler objects, ornaments and numerous human burials.
6. Bhimbetka caves are situated in which area of Madhya Pradesh?
[MPPSC – 2013]
A. Bhopal city centre
B. Pachmarhi
C. Singrauli
D. Abdullahganj-Raisen region
Answer: D. Abdullahganj-Raisen region
Explanation: Bhimbetka lies in Raisen district near Abdullaganj, south-east of Bhopal, within a landscape of sandstone formations and natural shelters.
5. Which prehistoric site-feature pair is correctly matched?
[UPSC CDS – 2012]
A. Burzahom — Ash mounds
B. Sanganakallu — Pit dwellings
C. Chirand — Bone tools
D. Adamgarh — Neolithic polished axes only
Answer: C. Chirand — Bone tools
Explanation: Chirand is noted for its rich bone-tool industry. Pit dwellings characterise Burzahom, while southern Neolithic settlements such as Sanganakallu are associated with ash mounds.
4. The Neolithic site of Burzahom is particularly associated with:
[UPSC NDA – 2011]
A. Lower Palaeolithic handaxes
B. Pit dwellings and human-dog burials
C. Harappan dockyard
D. Ashokan inscriptions
Answer: B. Pit dwellings and human-dog burials
Explanation: Underground dwellings, bone implements and unusual human-animal burials are among the distinguishing characteristics of the Neolithic settlement at Burzahom.
3. Evidence of pit dwellings has been obtained from which prehistoric site?
[UPPSC Mains – 2011]
A. Burzahom
B. Koldihwa
C. Brahmagiri
D. Sanganakallu
Answer: A. Burzahom
Explanation: Burzahom’s inhabitants constructed subterranean dwellings by digging pits into the ground, probably to obtain protection against Kashmir’s cold winter climate.
2. Who introduced the Three-Age System dividing antiquity into Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages?
[UPPSC Prelims – 2010]
A. C. J. Thomsen
B. John Lubbock
C. V. Gordon Childe
D. Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: A. C. J. Thomsen
Explanation: Danish antiquarian Christian Jürgensen Thomsen classified archaeological collections into Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, establishing the influential Three-Age System.
1. From which of the following prehistoric sites have significant bone implements been recovered?
[UPPSC Mains – 2010]
A. Chopani Mando
B. Kakoria
C. Mahadaha
D. None of these
Answer: C. Mahadaha
Explanation: Mahadaha is an important Mesolithic settlement of the middle Ganga plain where excavations revealed bone and antler implements, human burials and evidence of hunting activities.
