MCQ on Pre Historic Period

🟢 EASY (1–20)

1. Which is the earliest period of human history?
   a) Medieval Period
   b) Ancient Period
   c) Prehistoric Period ✅
   d) Modern Period
   Explanation: The prehistoric period refers to the time before written records.
2. Which material was primarily used in the Stone Age?
   a) Bronze
   b) Iron
   c) Stone ✅
   d) Copper
   Explanation: Tools and weapons in this period were made of stone.
3. What is the earliest subdivision of the Stone Age?
   a) Neolithic
   b) Mesolithic
   c) Paleolithic ✅
   d) Chalcolithic
   Explanation: The Paleolithic Age is the Old Stone Age, the earliest phase.
4. The term ‘Neolithic’ means:
   a) New Iron
   b) New Stone ✅
   c) Old Stone
   d) Bronze
   Explanation: ‘Neo’ means new, and ‘lithic’ means stone.
5. What was the main occupation of Paleolithic people?
   a) Farming
   b) Herding
   c) Hunting and gathering ✅
   d) Pottery making
   Explanation: They survived by hunting animals and gathering plants.
6. Which period saw the beginning of agriculture?
   a) Paleolithic
   b) Mesolithic
   c) Neolithic ✅
   d) Chalcolithic
   Explanation: Farming began during the New Stone Age.
7. Which animal was first domesticated by Neolithic people?
   a) Horse
   b) Cat
   c) Dog ✅
   d) Elephant
   Explanation: Dogs were likely the first animals to be domesticated.
8. What is the main source of information about prehistoric humans?
   a) Written records
   b) Coins
   c) Archaeological remains ✅
   d) Literature
   Explanation: Tools, bones, and cave paintings tell us about prehistory.
9. Cave paintings were mainly done during which age?
   a) Iron Age
   b) Neolithic
   c) Paleolithic ✅
   d) Bronze Age
   Explanation: Paleolithic people expressed themselves through cave art.
10. Mesolithic tools were mostly made of:
    a) Bronze
    b) Iron
    c) Microliths ✅
    d) Wood
    Explanation: Microliths are small stone tools used during this period.
11. The term ‘microlith’ refers to:
    a) Large stone
    b) Metal blade
    c) Small flint tools ✅
    d) Pottery
    Explanation: Microliths were tiny stone tools in Mesolithic culture.
12. Which metal was first used by humans?
    a) Iron
    b) Bronze
    c) Copper ✅
    d) Gold
    Explanation: Copper was the first metal used, marking the Chalcolithic Age.
13. The use of pottery began in which age?
    a) Paleolithic
    b) Neolithic ✅
    c) Mesolithic
    d) Iron Age
    Explanation: Neolithic people started making handmade pottery.
14. Fire was first discovered during which period?
    a) Mesolithic
    b) Neolithic
    c) Paleolithic ✅
    d) Chalcolithic
    Explanation: Fire was discovered and controlled during the Paleolithic Age.
15. Domestication of plants and animals is a feature of:
    a) Paleolithic
    b) Neolithic ✅
    c) Mesolithic
    d) Iron Age
    Explanation: Agriculture and domestication began in the Neolithic.
16. Burial of the dead was first practiced in:
    a) Bronze Age
    b) Mesolithic
    c) Paleolithic ✅
    d) Iron Age
    Explanation: Evidence of burial has been found from the late Paleolithic.
17. Stone tools in the Neolithic Age were:
    a) Rough and crude
    b) Made of iron
    c) Polished and refined ✅
    d) Wooden
    Explanation: Tools in this age were polished for efficiency.
18. The term ‘Prehistory’ means:
    a) Before science
    b) Before agriculture
    c) Before writing ✅
    d) Before stone tools
    Explanation: Prehistory refers to the time before written language.
19. Which of the following is NOT a prehistoric site?
    a) Bhimbetka
    b) Mehrgarh
    c) Harappa ✅
    d) Burzahom
    Explanation: Harappa is a part of the Indus Valley Civilization, which is historic.
20. The invention of the wheel happened during the:
    a) Paleolithic
    b) Mesolithic
    c) Neolithic ✅
    d) Iron Age
    Explanation: Wheels were likely developed during the Neolithic period.

🟡 MODERATE (21–40)

21. Which is a famous Paleolithic site in India?
    a) Harappa
    b) Bhimbetka ✅
    c) Lothal
    d) Kalibangan
    Explanation: Bhimbetka has ancient cave paintings and tools.
22. Mehrgarh is significant because it shows:
    a) Paleolithic tools
    b) Urban planning
    c) Early farming ✅
    d) Written records
    Explanation: Mehrgarh provides early evidence of agriculture in the subcontinent.
23. The Chalcolithic period is marked by the use of:
    a) Only stone tools
    b) Copper and stone tools ✅
    c) Only iron tools
    d) Gold jewelry
    Explanation: Chalcolithic means “copper-stone,” marking the transition period.
24. Burzahom is a Neolithic site located in:
    a) Gujarat
    b) Kashmir ✅
    c) Punjab
    d) Bihar
    Explanation: Burzahom in Kashmir shows evidence of Neolithic dwelling pits.
25. The period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic is called:
    a) Metal Age
    b) Mesolithic ✅
    c) Iron Age
    d) Vedic Age
    Explanation: The Mesolithic bridges the gap between the old and new stone ages.
26. The Neolithic Age began around:
    a) 10,000 BCE ✅
    b) 3000 BCE
    c) 1500 BCE
    d) 1000 CE
    Explanation: Agriculture and settlements began around 10,000 BCE.
27. Which of these was NOT used in the Stone Age?
    a) Flint
    b) Microlith
    c) Iron ✅
    d) Hand axe
    Explanation: Iron came much later in history.
28. Which site is famous for Mesolithic paintings?
    a) Lothal
    b) Bhimbetka ✅
    c) Inamgaon
    d) Dholavira
    Explanation: Bhimbetka caves have paintings from several prehistoric periods.
29. What change occurred in the Neolithic Age?
    a) Use of coins
    b) Written language
    c) Start of agriculture ✅
    d) Large armies
    Explanation: Farming and domestication transformed lifestyles.
30. Which of the following is a Chalcolithic culture?
    a) Harappan
    b) Ahar-Banas ✅
    c) Vedic
    d) Mauryan
    Explanation: Ahar-Banas is a Chalcolithic culture of Rajasthan.
31. Neolithic tools were mainly used for:
    a) Hunting
    b) Warfare
    c) Farming ✅
    d) Sailing
    Explanation: Polished tools were efficient for agricultural activities.
32. Which culture used pit dwellings?
    a) Chalcolithic
    b) Burzahom ✅
    c) Harappan
    d) Nevali Cori
    Explanation: Burzahom culture in Kashmir had pit houses for cold weather.
33. What does the word ‘Mesolithic’ mean?
    a) Middle Stone ✅
    b) Small Stone
    c) New Age
    d) Bronze Age
    Explanation: “Meso” means middle; it’s the Middle Stone Age.
34. The transition to agriculture led to:
    a) More hunting
    b) Permanent settlements ✅
    c) Nomadic life
    d) Desertification
    Explanation: Farming led people to settle in one place.
35. Which age is known for the beginning of copper tools?
    a) Iron Age
    b) Neolithic
    c) Chalcolithic ✅
    d) Mesolithic
    Explanation: Copper tools emerged in the Chalcolithic period.
36. Grinding stones found in Neolithic sites were used for:
    a) Warfare
    b) Writing
    c) Processing food ✅
    d) Decoration
    Explanation: They were used to grind grains into flour.
37. Which of the following is a Neolithic site in South India?
    a) Lothal
    b) Brahmagiri ✅
    c) Kalibangan
    d) Dholavira
    Explanation: Brahmagiri in Karnataka is a Neolithic site.
38. The first evidence of ploughing in India comes from:
    a) Harappa
    b) Kalibangan ✅
    c) Burzahom
    d) Mehrgarh
    Explanation: Kalibangan shows furrow marks indicating early ploughing.
39. Which tool type is associated with the Mesolithic Age?
    a) Polished axe
    b) Microliths ✅
    c) Copper plough
    d) Iron sword
    Explanation: Small microlithic tools are characteristic of this age.
40. Which of the following is common in Neolithic architecture?
    a) Pyramids
    b) Pit houses ✅
    c) High-rise towers
    d) Stone pillars
    Explanation: Pit dwellings provided insulation from cold.

🔴 HARD (41–50)

41. Which site shows a transition from hunting to herding?
    a) Bhimbetka
    b) Mehrgarh ✅
    c) Lothal
    d) Mohenjo-daro
    Explanation: Mehrgarh has evidence of early farming and herding.
42. Tools from the Paleolithic period were mainly made by:
    a) Casting
    b) Chipping ✅
    c) Molding
    d) Forging
    Explanation: Stones were chipped to create sharp tools.
43. Evidence of domesticated wheat and barley was first found at:
    a) Harappa
    b) Mehrgarh ✅
    c) Inamgaon
    d) Brahmagiri
    Explanation: Early agriculture in Mehrgarh included cereals.
44. Which culture is associated with copper hoards?
    a) Mesolithic
    b) Chalcolithic ✅
    c) Neolithic
    d) Harappan
    Explanation: Chalcolithic cultures left behind copper hoards.
45. The Neolithic site of Chirand is located in:
    a) Bihar ✅
    b) Gujarat
    c) Rajasthan
    d) Madhya Pradesh
    Explanation: Chirand is an important Neolithic site on the Ganges plain.
46. Which prehistoric site provides evidence of rice cultivation?
    a) Brahmagiri
    b) Inamgaon
    c) Koldihwa ✅
    d) Bhimbetka
    Explanation: Koldihwa in Uttar Pradesh has the earliest rice evidence.
47. What is a distinguishing feature of the Mesolithic period?
    a) Use of iron
    b) Use of microliths ✅
    c) Written language
    d) Urban cities
    Explanation: Microliths are unique to this transitional era.
48. The domestication of cattle started during:
    a) Paleolithic
    b) Mesolithic
    c) Neolithic ✅
    d) Iron Age
    Explanation: Neolithic people began domesticating large animals.
49. Evidence of early burial with grave goods indicates:
    a) Cultural beliefs ✅
    b) Social inequality
    c) Nomadic behavior
    d) Urban trade
    Explanation: Burial items suggest belief in afterlife or status.
50. Which prehistoric phase lasted the longest?
    a) Neolithic
    b) Chalcolithic
    c) Paleolithic ✅
    d) Mesolithic
    Explanation: The Paleolithic period lasted for millions of years.