Correct Answer: (A) Neolithic Age

Explanation:

The cultivation of cereals, marking the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities, is a defining characteristic of the Neolithic Age. This period, estimated to have begun around 12,000 years ago in some regions, saw the development of agriculture, including the domestication of plants and animals.

• Option (B), Mesolithic Age: While the Mesolithic period witnessed advancements in tool technology and hunting strategies, it predates the development of agriculture.
• Option (C), Palaeolithic Age: This even earlier period is primarily associated with nomadic hunter-gatherer societies and the use of simple stone tools.
• Option (D), Proto-Historic Age: This period falls between the Neolithic Age and the Iron Age and is characterized by the development of complex societies with advanced technologies like metallurgy, but agriculture was already established by this time.

Correct Answer: (B) Mahadaha

Explanation:

Excavations at Mahadaha, a Mesolithic site in Uttar Pradesh, India, have yielded evidence of bone ornaments. This site is known for its rich collection of artifacts, including bone tools, beads, and pendants, indicating the use of bone for both practical and decorative purposes during the Mesolithic period.

While other options might have archaeological finds, here’s a breakdown of why they are less likely:

• (A) Sarai Nahar Rai: This site is also known for Mesolithic artifacts, but evidence of bone ornaments specifically is less documented compared to Mahadaha.
• (C) Lekhahia: This site is associated with the later Harappan period (Indus Valley Civilization) and is not known for Mesolithic finds.
• (D) Chopani Mando: Primarily associated with the Indus Valley Civilization, similar to Lekhahia, this site falls outside the Mesolithic timeframe.

Correct Answer: (A) Thomson

Explanation:

The three-age system (Stone, Bronze, Iron) for classifying prehistoric cultures was developed by Christian Jürgensen Thomsen, a Danish archaeologist. While working at the National Museum of Copenhagen in the early 1800s, he observed a progression in the types of materials used in artifacts from the museum’s collection. This led him to propose his groundbreaking system, which has since become a fundamental concept in archaeology.

• Option (B), Lubbock, (C), Taylor, and (D), Childe are all influential archaeologists, but they did not develop the three-age system.

Correct Answer: (C) Adamgarh

Explanation:

The earliest evidence of animal domestication in the Mesolithic period has been found at sites like Adamgarh in Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Rajasthan. These sites date back to around 5500-4500 BCE. While other options like Langhnaj and Birbhanpur are important archaeological sites, they are not known for evidence of Mesolithic animal domestication. Chopani Mando is primarily associated with the Indus Valley Civilization, which falls much later in the timeline.