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Ancient History MCQs – 1 (Pre-Historic Period)

Pre-Historic Period MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, State PSCs and Other Examinations

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1. Who coined the terms ‘Paleolithic’  ?

(a) John Marshall

(b) John Lubbock

(c) James Princip

(d) None of these

Correct answer – (b) John Lubbock

  • The term “Paleolithic” was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865. 
  • He coined the terms “Paleolithic” and “Neolithic” to distinguish between the earlier and later Stone Age periods. 
  • In India, the prehistoric period is divided into the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), Neolithic (New Stone Age) and the Metal Age.

2. Consider the following statements:

  1. AD stands for two Latin words, ‘Anno Domini’, meaning ‘In the year of the Lord’.
  2. Sometimes CE is used instead of AD and BCE instead of BC. The letters CE stand for ‘Common Era’ and BCE for ‘Before Common Era’.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of these

Correct answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • In the Julian and Gregorian calendars, the years are counted from the date generally assigned to the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity.
  • All dates before the birth of Christ are counted backwards and usually have the letters BC (Before Christ) or BCE ( Before Common Era).
  • All dates after the birth of Christ are counted forwards and usually have the letters AD (Anno Domini) or CE ( Common Era).

3. Consider the following pairs:

       Paleolithic Age Site           State
1.    Bhimbetka                           :  Madhya Pradesh
2.    Hunsgi                                  :  Karnataka
3.    Sarai Nahar Rai                   :  Bihar
4.    Chirand                                 :  Uttar Pradesh

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) All of the above

Correct answer – (a) 1 and 2

  • Correct Match is:
    • Bhimbetka → Madhya Pradesh
    • Hunsgi  → Karnataka
    • Sarai Nahar Rai  → Uttar Pradesh
    • Chirand → Bihar

4. Bhimbetka caves show the continuity of human evolution from the Lower Palaeolithic Period to the Mesolithic period to the chalcolithic period. Why?

  1. It contains evidence of the use of tools and implements from all these periods.
  2. It contains written inscriptions from all these periods.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None

Correct answer – (a) 1 only

  • In Bhimbetka caves, the continuity of human evolution from the Lower Paleolithic Period, Middle Paleolithic, Upper Paleolithic Period and to the Mesolithic period has been determined by the evidence of use of tools and implements from all these periods.
  • Bhimbetka is also famous for its rock shelter which contain some of the finest prehistoric cave paintings in South Asia. 
  • Bhimbetka is located on the southern edge of the Vindhya hills in MP. 
  • It is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • It is to be noted that no written evidence has been found for prehistoric period.

5. The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been found at Adamagarh. It is located in which of the following States ?

(a) Rajasthan

(b) Madhya Pradesh

(c) Gujarat

(d) Maharashtra

Correct answer – (b) Madhya Pradesh

  • Adamagarh is a Mesolithic site located in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been found here.

6. What are the Megaliths ?

(a) Prehistoric rock cut caves

(b) Prehistoric stone structures or monuments

(c) Small Stone Tools

(d) Prehistoric Paintings

Correct answer – (b) Prehistoric stone structures or monuments

  • Megalith are the large prehistoric stones that were used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones.
  • The burial pits were covered with these stones. Such graves are extensively found in South India.
  • Most megaliths were erected between the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period

7. What are the Microliths ?

(a) Prehistoric rock cut caves

(b) Prehistoric stone structures or monuments

(c) Tiny stone artifacts of Mesolithic Age

(d) Prehistoric Paintings

Correct answer – (c) Tiny stone artifacts of Mesolithic Age

  • In the sites of the Mesolithic Age, a different type of stone tools is found compared to the stone tools of Paleolithic age. 
  • These are tiny stone artifacts, often not more than five centimeters in size.
  • These are called microliths.
  • The domestication of animals, horticulture and primitive cultivation also started in the Mesolithic Age.

8. Consider the following major archaeological sites ranging from the Mesolithic age to the iron age in the Indian subcontinent. Match them with their respective locations in present day India:

  1. Koldihwa → Madhya Pradesh
  2. Mehrgarh → Haryana
  3. Paiyampalli → Tamil Nadu

Select the correct answer using the codes below. 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 only

Correct answer – (b) 3 only

  • Koldihwa is located in present day UP. This site represents three occupational levels: the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Iron Age phases.
  • Mehrgarh is located near the Bolan Pass, to the west of the Indus River valley. It is now located in Pakistan. It is considered as the most sophisticated and planned ancient farm village of ancient India.
  • Paiyampalli is located in Tamil Nadu. It is known for the excavation remains of neolithic and megalithic periods.

9. Which of the following places is famous for prehistoric paintings?

(a) Ajanta

(b) Bhimbetka

(c) Bagh

(d) Amravati

Correct answer – (b) Bhimbetka

  • Best examples of prehistoric paintings in India – Bhimbetka, MP
  • Paintings of Ajanta and Bagh are related to the Post-Mauryan period.

10. Paleolithic or Old Stone Age sites are widely found in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. These sites are generally located near :


(a)  Water sources
(b)  Deserts
(c)  Major urban centers
(d)  Mines

Correct answer – (a)  Water sources

  • Several rock shelters and caves used by the Paleolithic people are scattered across the subcontinent. 
  • Some of the famous sites of Old Stone Age in India are:
    • The Soan valley and Potwar Plateau in northwest India.
    • The Siwalik hills in north India.
    • Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh.
    • Adamgarh hill in Narmada valley.
    • Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh
    • Attirampakkam near Chennai.
  • Most of these sites are located near water sources

11. A prehistoric site Gufkral is located in which state / Union Territory of India?

(a) Jammu and Kashmir

(b) Bihar

(c) Uttar Pradesh

(d) Rajasthan

Correct answer – (a) Jammu and Kashmir

  • Gufkral, meaning ‘the cave of the potter’ is an important Neolithic site located in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It has evidence of Pit dwellings.

12. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation comes from which among the following river valleys ?

(a) Ganga Valley

(b) Belan Valley

(c) Bolan Valley

(d) Narmada Valley

Correct answer – (b) Belan Valley

  • Belan river Originates from Western part of Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • It is famous for the prehistoric sites found on its banks.
  • It is one of the regions where the earliest evidence of rice cultivation has been found.

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