40. Early evidence of agriculture and animal husbandry in the north-western subcontinent is prominently associated with:
[BPSC – 2018]
A. Mehrgarh
B. Amri
C. Kili Gul Mohammad only
D. Harappa
Answer: A. Mehrgarh
Explanation: Mehrgarh preserves one of South Asia’s earliest long sequences of settled farming, including wheat and barley cultivation alongside domesticated cattle, sheep and goats.
39. Which is commonly regarded as one of the earliest Neolithic settlements of the Indian subcontinent?
[SSC CGL – 2018]
A. Mehrgarh
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Sanchi
D. Amaravati
Answer: A. Mehrgarh
Explanation: Mehrgarh’s earliest occupation reaches back to approximately the seventh millennium BCE and demonstrates early farming, herding and settled village life.
38. The earliest evidence of wheat cultivation in the Indian subcontinent is prominently associated with:
[SSC CHSL – 2018]
A. Mehrgarh
B. Burzahom
C. Bagor
D. Bhimbetka
Answer: A. Mehrgarh
Explanation: The earliest inhabitants of Mehrgarh cultivated wheat and barley, making the settlement fundamental to understanding the development of farming in South Asia.
37. What does ‘Neolithic’ literally mean?
[SSC CPO – 2018]
A. Old Stone
B. Middle Stone
C. New Stone
D. Copper Stone
Answer: C. New Stone
Explanation: Neolithic derives from words meaning “new” and “stone.” It describes the later Stone Age marked particularly by polished tools and food production.
36. Megaliths are primarily identified as:
[Tamil Nadu PSC – 2018]
A. Hermits’ caves
B. Burial monuments
C. Buddhist monasteries
D. Agricultural dams
Answer: B. Burial monuments
Explanation: Many megalithic monuments were constructed with large stones to mark burials or graves and often contained pottery, iron objects and human remains.
35. Which Stone Age phase marked an important transition between Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers?
[SSC – 2018]
A. Mesolithic
B. Iron Age
C. Bronze Age
D. Historic period
Answer: A. Mesolithic
Explanation: Mesolithic communities continued hunting and gathering but developed microlithic technology, greater sedentism and, in some regions, early forms of animal domestication.
34. Which site is especially associated with Mesolithic microliths in Gujarat?
[Competitive Examination – 2018]
A. Langhnaj
B. Burzahom
C. Mahagara
D. Sanganakallu
Answer: A. Langhnaj
Explanation: Langhnaj is an important Mesolithic settlement of Gujarat where excavations have yielded microlithic implements, human skeletal remains and animal bones.
33. Which Neolithic site is associated with early rice cultivation?
[UPSC NDA – 2017]
A. Burzahom
B. Mehrgarh
C. Koldihwa
D. Chirand
Answer: C. Koldihwa
Explanation: Koldihwa in Uttar Pradesh’s Belan Valley has traditionally occupied an important place in discussions of early rice cultivation in South Asian prehistory.
32. The Neolithic period was described as a ‘revolution’ particularly by which scholar?
[WBCS/WBPSC Mains – 2017]
A. V. Gordon Childe
B. John Marshall
C. D. D. Kosambi
D. Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: A. V. Gordon Childe
Explanation: Gordon Childe popularised the expression “Neolithic Revolution” to describe the transformative consequences of agriculture, animal domestication and settled food-producing communities.
31. Which site in Karnataka is associated with Neolithic ash mounds and cattle pastoralism?
[UPSC CAPF – 2017]
A. Piklihal
B. Chirand
C. Langhnaj
D. Sanganakallu
Answer: D. Sanganakallu
Explanation: Southern Neolithic settlements such as Sanganakallu are associated with cattle pastoralism and characteristic ash mounds produced through repeated burning of accumulated cattle-pen material.
