Discover important Paleolithic Tools in India GK Questions with answers and detailed explanations. Learn about Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic tool types for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Railway, and Banking.
Practice These Important Paleolithic Tools In India GK Questions & Check Your Preparation Level:-
Q1) The Paleolithic period in India is also known as:
a) Stone Age
b) Copper Age
c) Bronze Age
d) Iron Age
Explanation: The Paleolithic period is the earliest phase of the Stone Age, where humans primarily used stone tools. It is marked by the earliest evidence of tool-making, hunting, and gathering lifestyle. Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages came much later with the development of metallurgy.
Q2) The main raw material used to make Paleolithic tools was:
a) Iron
b) Flint/Quartzite
c) Copper
d) Bronze
Explanation: Paleolithic people in India mainly used hard stones like quartzite, chert, and flint to make their tools. These materials were chosen because they could be easily shaped into sharp edges, suitable for hunting, cutting, and scraping. Metals were not known during this period.
Q3) The primary technique used for making Paleolithic tools was:
a) Casting
b) Polishing
c) Flaking
d) Welding
Explanation: Flaking was the basic technique used in Paleolithic tool-making. Stone cores were struck with hammer stones to produce flakes with sharp edges. These flakes or cores were then modified into tools such as scrapers, hand-axes, and cleavers. Casting and welding belong to later metal ages.
Q4) The most common tool of Lower Paleolithic India was:
a) Hand-axe
b) Arrowhead
c) Plough
d) Needle
Explanation: Hand-axe is the most typical tool of the Lower Paleolithic phase in India. It was used for cutting, digging, and chopping. These were usually made from quartzite stones and are found in several sites such as Attirampakkam and Belan valley.
Q5) Which Paleolithic site in India is famous for Acheulian hand-axes?
a) Lothal
b) Attirampakkam
c) Dholavira
d) Kalibangan
Explanation: Attirampakkam in Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest Paleolithic sites in India and is renowned for Acheulian hand-axes. These tools resemble those found in Africa and Europe, showing India’s connection with global prehistory. Lothal, Dholavira, and Kalibangan are Harappan sites.
Q6) The Paleolithic culture in India is mainly divided into:
a) Three phases – Lower, Middle, Upper
b) Two phases – Early, Late
c) Four phases – Early, Middle, Late, Neolithic
d) None of the above
Explanation: Indian Paleolithic culture is broadly divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper phases. Each phase is marked by different tool types and techniques. The Lower is known for hand-axes and cleavers, Middle for scrapers and borers, and Upper for blades and burins.
Q7) Which tool is characteristic of the Middle Paleolithic phase in India?
a) Blade
b) Scraper
c) Axe
d) Plough
Explanation: Scrapers are the characteristic tools of the Middle Paleolithic culture in India. They were made from flakes and used to scrape hides, wood, and other materials. This marks a technological shift from large core tools of the Lower Paleolithic to smaller flake tools.
Q8) Upper Paleolithic tools are distinct for:
a) Polished stone technology
b) Blade and bone tools
c) Metal usage
d) Agricultural tools
Explanation: The Upper Paleolithic phase in India is known for blade tools, often made from fine-grained stone like chert, and tools made from bone and antlers. These reflect advanced skills and adaptation to varied environments. Polished tools belong to the Neolithic phase.
Q9) Which Indian river valleys are rich in Lower Paleolithic tools?
a) Ganga and Yamuna
b) Godavari and Krishna
c) Son and Belan
d) Brahmaputra and Teesta
Explanation: The Son and Belan river valleys of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are rich in Lower Paleolithic artifacts. These areas provided raw materials and water sources, supporting human settlements. Discoveries here include hand-axes, cleavers, and choppers.
Q10) The basic purpose of Paleolithic tools was:
a) Decoration
b) Hunting and food processing
c) Metalwork
d) Farming
Explanation: Paleolithic tools were primarily used for hunting animals, skinning, cutting meat, processing plants, and other survival activities. Farming and decoration came much later in Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Their main goal was survival through efficient use of stone implements.
