Pre-History and Paleolithic Age Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What types of tools characterized the Early or Lower Palaeolithic phase?

Hand axes, choppers, and cleavers.

Which locations are associated with the Middle Palaeolithic phase?

Soan, Narmada, and Tungabhadra river valleys.

How did climate changes affect the Mesolithic Age?

The climate became warmer and less humid.

What time period does the Didwana site in Rajasthan belong to?

500,000 – 50,000 BCE. Signup and view all the answers

What types of tools were found at cave sites in Kurnool and Muchchatla Chintamani Gavi?

Bone tools. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of tools used during the Mesolithic Age?

The key characteristic is the use of microliths, which are miniature stone tools. Signup and view all the answers

What significant cultural development began during the Mesolithic Age?

The beginnings of plant cultivation emerged during the Mesolithic Age. Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the important Mesolithic sites in India.

Bagor in Rajasthan is one of the important Mesolithic sites. Signup and view all the answers

What insights do burials and rock paintings provide about Mesolithic societies?

They provide insights into religious practices and gender roles during the Mesolithic era. Signup and view all the answers

Why is pottery generally absent at Mesolithic sites?

Pottery is generally absent at Mesolithic sites because it became more prevalent during the Neolithic Age. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Greek word historia signify in the context of history?

Historia means 'inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation'. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between pre-history and proto-history.

Pre-history refers to events before the invention of writing, while proto-history involves cultures mentioned in contemporary literate records but without developed writing. Signup and view all the answers

Which archaeological discovery is Robert Bruce Foote known for in Indian pre-history?

He discovered the Pallavaram handaxe, one of the first palaeolithic tools in India. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the tools used by Palaeolithic man in India?

Palaeolithic man used unpolished, rough stone tools made primarily of quartzite. Signup and view all the answers

How did the lifestyle of Palaeolithic humans differ from later human societies?

Palaeolithic humans were food gatherers and hunters with no knowledge of agriculture or pottery. Signup and view all the answers

What types of crops did Neolithic people in South and Eastern India cultivate?

Neolithic people cultivated crops like ragi and horse gram. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the polished stone axes developed during the Neolithic period?

Polished stone axes were used for various purposes, including agriculture and hunting. Signup and view all the answers

How did pottery evolve during the Neolithic phase?

Pottery evolved from hand-made to wheel-made, resulting in different types including black burnished ware and grey ware. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the village communities during the Neolithic era?

Neolithic village communities were self-sufficient and lived in circular or rectangular houses made of mud and reeds. Signup and view all the answers

What unique burial practice was noted at the Burzahom site?

Burzahom was unique for burying domestic dogs with their masters in graves. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pre-History Phases

Pre-history is divided into three time periods: pre-history, proto-history, and history
Pre-history spans periods before the invention of writing
Proto-history is the time period between pre-history and history, during which written records of a civilization have not developed
History is the period after the invention of writing in literate societies

Paleolithic Age

The Paleolithic Age is the first period of the Stone Age, which developed in the Pleistocene period or the Ice Age
It was widespread across practically all parts of India, except the alluvial plains of the Indus and Ganga
Paleolithic humans lived in caves and rock shelters
They were primarily food gatherers, who lived off hunting and gathering wild fruits and vegetables
They did not know the use of pottery or agriculture
They used hand axes, cleavers, choppers, blades, burin, and scrapers for tools
These tools were made from a hard rock called "quartzite"

Mesolithic Age

The Mesolithic Age represented the intermediate phase in the Stone Age, which follows the Paleolithic Age
The Mesolithic is between the Pleistocene and the Holocene era, occurring about 10,000 years ago
Mesolithic humans lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering food
They also domesticated animals
Tools used were characterized by microliths (miniature stone tools)
These tools used to make composite tools such as spearheads, arrowheads, and sickles
Pottery was not present

Neolithic Age

The Neolithic Age emerged around 8,000-6,000 BCE
Neolithic people were food producers
They produced crops like ragi and horse gram (kulathi)
They also domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, and goats
The polished stone tools were more developed than Paleolithic tools, particularly axes and adzes
The Neolithic also introduced pottery
People began to live in circular and rectangular houses

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Description

Test your knowledge on the divisions of pre-history and the characteristics of the Paleolithic Age. This quiz covers key aspects including the lifestyle, tools, and environments of early humans before the advent of agriculture and pottery. Discover how these periods laid the groundwork for later civilizations.