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ANCIENT

PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD

ATTEMPT THE PYQ QUIZ

 

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Category: Pre-Historic period

1)

The transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age was marked by the use of:

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Category: Pre-Historic period

2)

Which of the following prehistoric periods is also known as the "Stone-Copper Age"?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

3)

Which of the following is a Chalcolithic site in India?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

4)

The Chalcolithic settlements in India were primarily located near:

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Category: Pre-Historic period

5)

Which metal was first used by humans in the Chalcolithic period?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

6)

Which material was widely used for making tools in the Neolithic Age?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

7)

In the Neolithic period, people started living in:

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Category: Pre-Historic period

8)

Mehrgarh, one of the earliest Neolithic sites in the Indian subcontinent, is located in which present-day country?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

9)

Which of the following was a major advancement during the Neolithic Age?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

10)

Which animal was first domesticated by prehistoric humans?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

11)

Domestication of animals and the beginning of farming started in which prehistoric period?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

12)

The Mesolithic Age is best known for the introduction of which tools?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

13)

What is the main significance of Bhimbetka caves?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

14)

In which Indian state is the prehistoric site of Bhimbetka located?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

15)

Which among the following is the earliest evidence of human life in India?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

16)

Which metal was first used by humans in the prehistoric period?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

17)

Which river valley is associated with the earliest evidence of human habitation in India?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

18)

Which prehistoric stone tool culture is associated with the Palaeolithic period in India?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

19)

What was the primary occupation of early humans during the Palaeolithic period?

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Category: Pre-Historic period

20)

Which period is known as the "Old Stone Age"?

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Prehistoric Period in India – SSC CGL Study Material

Introduction

The Prehistoric Period refers to the time before written records were available. It is divided into different phases based on human development, tool usage, and lifestyle. The major divisions are:

  1. Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
  2. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)
  3. Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
  4. Chalcolithic Age (Copper-Stone Age)

Each of these periods marks significant advancements in human evolution, tool-making, food production, and settlement patterns.


1. Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age) (Up to 10,000 BCE)

Key Features

✅ Early humans were hunter-gatherers and lived in caves or rock shelters.
Stone tools such as hand axes and cleavers were used.
✅ Tools were made using hard rock like quartzite (Acheulian Culture).
✅ Early evidence of fire usage.

Important Sites

📌 Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) – Rock shelters with prehistoric paintings.
📌 Narmada Valley – Fossil evidence of early humans.
📌 Hunsgi (Karnataka) – Lower Palaeolithic tools discovered.


2. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age) (10,000 BCE – 8000 BCE)

Key Features

✅ Transition period between hunting and agriculture.
✅ Use of microlithic tools (small, sharp stone tools).
✅ Domestication of animals (dogs were first domesticated).
✅ Early rock art and cave paintings.

Important Sites

📌 Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) – Cave paintings depicting hunting scenes.
📌 Bagor (Rajasthan) – Evidence of early animal domestication.


3. Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) (8000 BCE – 2000 BCE)

Key Features

✅ Humans shifted from hunting-gathering to agriculture.
✅ Domestication of animals like cows, goats, and sheep.
✅ Use of polished stone tools and pottery.
Settled life and village culture emerged.

Important Sites

📌 Mehrgarh (Pakistan) – One of the earliest sites showing evidence of agriculture.
📌 Burzahom (Kashmir) – Pit dwellings and evidence of early domestication.
📌 Koldihwa (Uttar Pradesh) – Early rice cultivation.


4. Chalcolithic Age (Copper-Stone Age) (2500 BCE – 700 BCE)

Key Features

✅ First use of metal (Copper) along with stone tools.
✅ Pottery became advanced (Black and Red Ware).
✅ Early village settlements developed.

Important Sites

📌 Inamgaon (Maharashtra) – A major Chalcolithic settlement.
📌 Ahar (Rajasthan) – Early copper smelting evidence.


Conclusion

The Prehistoric Period laid the foundation for later civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization. The shift from nomadic life to agriculture, tool-making, and village settlements played a crucial role in human evolution.

For SSC CGL aspirants, understanding this period is essential for History & General Awareness sections, especially for questions related to archaeological sites, prehistoric tools, and early human activities.