Pre History

Question 1

What is the main source for the reconstruction of the Prehistoric period?

Answer 1

Archaeology

The Prehistoric period represents more than 99% of human past.

Question 2

How is the Historic period defined in terms of sources for reconstruction?

Answer 2

Both Archaeology and Written material

The Historic period accounts for less than 1% of human past.

Question 3

What does Proto-history refer to?

Answer 3

A period of transition between pre-history and history.

Question 4

Who developed the three-age system and when?

Answer 4

Christian Jürgensen Thomsen in the 1830s.

Question 5

List the three periods of the three-age system.

Answer 5

• Stone Age
• Bronze Age
• Iron Age

Question 6

What are the two main divisions of the Stone Age?

Answer 6

• Paleolithic Age
• Neolithic Age
• Mesolithic Age

Question 7

What is the time range for the Lower Paleolithic Age?

Answer 7

5,00,000 – 40,000 BCE

Question 8

What major developments occurred during the Upper Paleolithic Age?

Answer 8

• Evolution of Homo Sapiens Sapiens
• Development of blade tools
• Rock art and early human expression

Question 9

What significant evidence was found at Belan Valley, UP?

Answer 9

First evidence of controlled fire - 55,000 years BP in India.

Question 10

What is the significance of the site Bhimbetka?

Answer 10

Richest collection of prehistoric paintings in India.

Question 11

What type of tools characterized the Mesolithic period?

Answer 11

Microliths

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The first domesticated animals during the Mesolithic period included _______.

Answer 12

goat, sheep, and dog.

Question 13

What was the significance of Mehrgarh in the Neolithic period?

Answer 13

First evidence of agriculture and domestication of crops and animals.

Question 14

What are ashmounds and their possible significance?

Answer 14

Large mounds of ash possibly linked to ritualistic activities or domestic tasks.

Question 15

What does prehistoric art reveal about our ancestors?

Answer 15

Their beliefs and self-expression through symbolic communication.

Question 16

What are some forms of prehistoric art?

Answer 16

• Portable Art
• Cupules
• Petroglyphs
• Petrography (Rock painting)

Question 17

Who discovered the first rock paintings in India and when?

Answer 17

Archibold Carlleyle in 1867–68.

Question 18

What kind of social structure emerged during the Neolithic period?

Answer 18

Tribe → chiefdom formation

Question 19

What is the time frame for the Neolithic period?

Answer 19

Holocene

Question 20

What types of tools were developed during the Neolithic period?

Answer 20

• Highly polished and refined tools
• Wheeled and fired pottery

Question 21

True or False: The term ‘Mesolithic’ was used in the 19th century.

Answer 21

False

The term ‘Mesolithic’ is relatively recent.

Question 22

What is the most important archaeological site with pre-historic paintings in India?

Answer 22

Bhimbetka

Question 23

Who discovered the caves at Bhimbetka?

Answer 23

V.S. Wakankar

Question 24

Where are the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka located?

Answer 24

In the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau

Question 25

What periods do the paintings in Bhimbetka date from?

Answer 25

Mesolithic Period to the historical period

Question 26

What are the most common colour pigments used in Bhimbetka paintings?

Answer 26

* Red * White

Question 27

What is the source of red pigment in Bhimbetka paintings?

Answer 27

Iron oxide (geru/haematite)

Question 28

Which pigment is used for white in the Bhimbetka paintings?

Answer 28

Limestone

Question 29

What subjects are depicted in the Bhimbetka rock paintings?

Answer 29

* Wild animals and hunting scenes * Family and related social activities * Religious scenes

Question 30

Name three types of animals depicted in Bhimbetka paintings.

Answer 30

* Deer * Boar * Elephant

Question 31

What activities are shown in the Bhimbetka paintings?

Answer 31

* Hunting * Fishing * Honey collection

Question 32

What weapons are depicted in the Bhimbetka rock paintings?

Answer 32

* Bow and arrow * Pointed sticks (javelins) * Barbed spear

Question 33

True or False: The paintings at Bhimbetka depict abstract art.

Answer 33

True

Question 34

What is the Chalcolithic Age known for?

Answer 34

Transition between Neolithic and Bronze Age

Question 35

What technology characterized the Chalcolithic Age?

Answer 35

Use of stone tools along with copper tools

Question 36

What types of crops were grown during the Chalcolithic Age?

Answer 36

* Barley * Wheat * Rice * Lentils * Millets * Grams * Peas * Cotton

Question 37

What are some secondary economic activities during the Chalcolithic Age?

Answer 37

* Pottery * Metallurgy * Weaving * Bead making * Shellwork

Question 38

What indicates the emergence of private property in Chalcolithic settlements?

Answer 38

Differences in house sizes and enclosure walls

Question 39

What is the characteristic pottery style of the Chalcolithic Age?

Answer 39

Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP)

Question 40

What significant archaeological findings were discovered at the Sinauli site?

Answer 40

* Chariots * Coffin burials * Ribbed swords * Shield

Question 41

What is the significance of the Harappan civilization in relation to the Chalcolithic cultures?

Answer 41

Trade and cultural exchanges, especially in pottery and copper

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The first copper hoard was discovered at a village named _______.

Answer 42

Gungeria

Question 43

What type of art is depicted in the Jaora rock shelter?

Answer 43

Symbolic art

Question 44

What does the term 'petrographs' refer to in this context?

Answer 44

Rock engravings or carvings

Question 45

List two cultures from the Chalcolithic Age along with their time spans.

Answer 45

* Ahar/Banas culture: 3000-1500 BCE * Malwa culture: 1900-1500 BCE

Question 46

What type of burial practices were observed in Chalcolithic settlements?

Answer 46

Burial of the dead with personal belongings

Question 47

What does high infant mortality in Chalcolithic societies suggest?

Answer 47

Malnutrition and lack of medicine