I. Early Human Development and Global Context
Cradle of Humankind: Which continent is recognized as the "cradle of humankind"?
(a) Asia
(b) Europe
(c) Australia
(d) Africa
Explanation: The African continent is widely referred to as the cradle of humankind.
Earliest Non-Homosapiens Hominid: The earliest human-like creature, racially distinct from Homo sapiens, was the:
(a) Neanderthal
(b) Pithecanthropus
(c) Sinanthropus
(d) Hominid
Explanation: Pithecanthropus (now often classified as Homo erectus) was an early hominid racially distinct from Homo sapiens.
The Three-Age System: Who coined the three-age system—Stone, Bronze, and Iron—based on the collection of the Copenhagen Museum?
(a) Thomson (Christian Jurgensen Thomsen)
(b) Lubbock
(c) Taylor
(d) Childe
Explanation: Danish archaeologist Christian Jurgensen Thomsen developed and classified the three-age system in 1818-1820, publishing his work in 1836.
II. Paleolithic and Mesolithic Periods in India
Domestication of Animals: According to excavated evidence, the domestication of animals began in the:
(a) Lower Paleolithic period
(b) Middle Palaeolithic period
(c) Upper Paleolithic period
(d) Mesolithic period
Explanation: Animal domestication started during the Mesolithic period. Key Indian sites providing evidence include Adamgarh (M.P.) and Bagor (Rajasthan).
Bone Implements and Ornaments (Mesolithic): Bone implements and ornaments have been found at which of the following Mesolithic sites?
(a) Chopani-Mando
(b) Kakoria
(c) Mahadaha
(d) Sarai Nahar Rai
Explanation: A large number of bone and horn implements and ornaments were recovered from the Mesolithic sites of Mahadaha and Sarai Nahar Rai in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.
Human Skeletons in Graves (Mesolithic):
Three human skeletons in a single grave were recovered at:
(a) Sarai Nahar Rai
(b) Damdama
(c) Mahadaha
(d) Langhnaj
Explanation: Damdama, a Mesolithic site in U.P., yielded a triple burial grave among its 41 human graves. Sarai Nahar Rai has evidence of a grave with four human skeletons.
Maximum Human Skeletons in Vindhyas: From which rock shelter of the Vindhyas has the maximum number of human skeletons been recovered?
(a) Morahana Pahar
(b) Ghaghariya
(c) Baghahi Khor
(d) Lekhahia
Explanation: Lekhahia's Rock Shelter I in the Vindhya region has yielded remnants of up to 27 human skeletons, according to some reports.
Vindhyas Migration:
Assertion (A): The Stone Age people of the Vindhyas migrated to the Ganga Valley in the terminal Pleistocene period.
Reason (R): Due to climatic change, it was a dry phase in this period.
Code: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Explanation: Climatic change caused the Vindhyan Valley to become dry in the terminal Pleistocene, prompting the Stone Age population to migrate to the wetter Ganga Valley.
Earliest Man in India: The earliest evidence of man in India is found in the:
(a) Nilgiri Hills
(b) Shivalik Hills
(c) Nallamala Hills
(d) Narmada Valley
Explanation: The first evidence of human existence in India was discovered in 1982 in the western Narmada region of Madhya Pradesh.
III. Neolithic Age and the Beginnings of Agriculture
Start of Cereal Cultivation: The cultivation of cereals first started in the:
(a) Neolithic Age
(b) Mesolithic Age
(c) Paleolithic Age
(d) Proto-Historic Age
Explanation: The production of grains and the beginning of agriculture are hallmarks of the Neolithic Age.
First Cereal Used: The first cereal domesticated and used by man was:
(a) Wheat
(b) Rice
(c) Barley
(d) Sorghum
Explanation: Barley was the first grain cultivated by humans, dating back to c. 8000 B.C. in Western Asia. Wheat followed shortly after.
Earliest Evidence of Agriculture (Indian Subcontinent): Which site provides the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent?
(a) Koldihwa
(b) Lahuradeva
(c) Mehrgarh
(d) Tokwa
Explanation: According to the latest research, Lahuradeva (U.P.) provides the earliest evidence of rice cultivation (7000-9000 B.C.). If Lahuradeva is not an option, Mehrgarh (c. 7000 B.C.) is the next earliest evidence of wheat/agriculture.
Oldest Evidence of Agriculture (U.P. Context):
Statement 1: The oldest evidence of agriculture in the global context has been obtained from many excavated sites in this region (Uttar Pradesh).
Statement 2: The oldest cultivated food grains are barley and paddy (rice).
Code: (a) Only 1
Explanation: Lahuradeva (U.P.) provides some of the world's oldest evidence of agriculture (Statement 1 is correct). However, the oldest cultivated grains globally were barley and wheat, not barley and paddy (Statement 2 is incorrect).
Agriculture in North-Western Region: The earliest evidence of the origin of agriculture in the North-Western region of the Indian subcontinent has been found at:
(a) Mundigak
(b) Mehrgarh
(c) Damb Sadat
(d) Balakot
Explanation: Mehrgarh (Balochistan, Pakistan) is the key site for the earliest evidence of agriculture in the north-western region, forming a complete sequence from the Stone Age to the Harappan Civilization.
Cultural Sequence (Stone Age to Harappan): Which ancient site contains cultural remains spanning from the Stone Age to the Harappan Civilization?
(a) Amri
(b) Mehrgarh
(c) Kotdiji
(d) Kalibangan
Explanation: Mehrgarh provides a continuous sequence of cultural remains from the Neolithic Stone Age to the beginnings of the Harappan Civilization.
Neolithic Ash Mounds: The 'Ash mound' is associated with the Neolithic site at:
(a) Budihal
(b) Sangana Kallu
(c) Koldihwa
(d) Brahmagiri
Explanation: Ash mounds, believed to be the burnt relics of seasonal camps of Neolithic herdsmen, have been found at Sangana Kallu (Karnataka), Piklihal, and Utnur.
IV. Chalcolithic, Megalithic, and Later Cultures
Chalcolithic Age: Which period is also known as the Chalcolithic Age?
(a) Old Stone Age
(b) New Stone Age
(c) Copper Age
(d) Iron Age
Explanation: The term Chalcolithic (from Greek khalkos 'copper' and lithos 'stone') refers to the Copper Age, where copper tools were used alongside stone implements.
Ahar Civilization: Consider the statements pertaining to the Ahar Civilization (Chalcolithic, Rajasthan):
A. The natives of Ahar knew copper smelting.
B. Rice was unknown to them.
C. Metal work was one of the means of economy of the Ahar.
D. Black-Red coloured pottery with white geometric designs has been found here.
Correct Option: (a) A, C and D are correct
Explanation: Ahar people were proficient in copper tools and smelting (A & C). They did know rice (B is wrong). Their distinctive pottery was Black-Red Ware with white geometric patterns (D is correct).
Megaliths: Megaliths have been identified as:
(a) Caves for hermits
(b) Burial sites
(c) Temple sites
(d) None of the above
Explanation: Megaliths are monuments constructed of large stones, primarily used as burial sites or memorials away from habitation areas.
Burial Orientation (Chalcolithic Maharashtra): In the Chalcolithic period, people of Maharashtra (Jorwe culture) buried their dead under the floor of their houses in the following orientation:
(a) North to South position
(b) East to West position
(c) South to North position
(d) West to East position
Explanation: In the Jorwe culture (e.g., Daimabad, Inamgaon), adults were typically buried supine, with the head towards the north (North to South orientation).
Excavation at Navdatoli: The excavation at Navdatoli was conducted by:
(a) K.D. Bajpai
(b) V.S. Wakankar
(c) H.D. Sankalia
(d) Mortimer Wheeler
Explanation: Navdatoli, an extensive rural Chalcolithic site (c. 1600 B.C. - 1300 B.C.) near Indore, was excavated by Professor H.D. Sankalia.
Historical Place Matching: Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
Burzahom: Rock-cut shrines
Chandra-ketugarh: Terracotta art
Ganeshwar: Copper artifacts
Code: (d) 2 and 3
Explanation: Burzahom is famous for pit dwelling (Neolithic), not rock-cut shrines (1 is wrong). Chandraketugarh (W.B.) was a major centre for terracotta craft (2 is correct). Ganeshwar (Rajasthan) is associated with the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture, known for hundreds of copper objects (3 is correct).
Oldest Settlement in Gangetic Valley: The oldest remaining humankind settlement in the Gangetic valley is:
(a) Bagor
(b) Kalpi
(c) Adamgarh
(d) Teri
Explanation: Kalpi is recognized as the oldest known humankind settlement in the Gangetic valley.
Harappan Site in Uttar Pradesh: In which state of India is the Harappan Civilization site Mandi situated?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Haryana
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Mandi, located in the Muzaffarnagar district of western Uttar Pradesh, is a peripheral Harappan site known for a discovery of jewelry.
V. Prehistoric Art and Archaeology
Bhimbetka: 'Bhimbetka' is famous for:
(a) Rock Paintings
(b) Buddhist Statues
(c) Minerals
(d) Origin of Son River
Explanation: Bhimbetka (M.P.) is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its extensive prehistoric rock shelters and paintings, which show the earliest traces of human life on the subcontinent.
Prehistoric Paintings: Which one of the following places is famous for prehistoric paintings?
(a) Ajanta
(b) Bhimbetka
(c) Bagh
(d) Amravati
Explanation: Bhimbetka provides the best examples of prehistoric rock paintings. Ajanta and Bagh paintings are from the post-Mauryan/later periods.
Bhimbetka Discoverer: Which Indian archaeologist first visited 'Bhimbetka Caves' and discovered the prehistoric significance of its rock paintings?
(a) Madho Swaroop Vatsa
(b) H.D. Sankalia
(c) V.S. Wakankar
(d) V.N. Mishra
Explanation: V.S. Wakankar discovered the prehistoric rock paintings of Bhimbetka in 1957.
VI. Archaeological Institutions
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Which department/ministry deals with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as an accessory office?
(a) Culture
(b) Tourism
(c) Science and Technology
(d) Human Resource and Development
Explanation: The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the Ministry of Culture.
National Human Museum: Where is the National Human Museum (Indira Gandhi National Human Museum) situated?
(a) Guwahati
(b) Bastar
(c) Bhopal
(d) Chennai
Explanation: The Indira Gandhi National Human Museum is an autonomous organization under the Department of Culture, located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
