NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam February-2023 ARCHAEOLOGY

John Lubbock, an English polymath and archaeologist, introduced the terms Palaeolithic and Neolithic to denote the Old and New Stone Ages, respectively. • Palaeolithic (a): Refers to the Old Stone Age, marked by the use of primitive stone tools.
• Mesolithic (b): Lubbock did not introduce this term. It denotes the Middle Stone Age.
• Neolithic (c): Refers to the New Stone Age, characterized by polished stone tools and the onset of agriculture.
• Chalcolithic (d): This term denotes the Copper Stone Age but wasn't introduced by Lubbock.

Jaina cave architecture provides insights into Jainism and its influence on art and architecture.
• Sittannavasal (a): Located in Tamil Nadu, it is renowned for its Jain caves with magnificent fresco paintings.
• Jogimara (b): It's in Chhattisgarh but is not predominantly associated with Jain architecture.
• Khandagiri (c): Located in Odisha, Khandagiri, along with Udayagiri, is famous for its Jain caves and inscriptions.
• Bagh (d): Located in Madhya Pradesh, these are rock-cut Buddhist caves, not Jain.

The Paleolithic period witnessed different tool-making techniques as humans advanced.
(a) Block-on-block: This technique involves striking a large stone block with a hammerstone to produce smaller flakes for tool production.
(b) Fluting: Fluting is a technique where a distinctive channel or groove is flaked out from the base of a projectile point or blade, often associated with the Clovis culture.
(d) Punching: Punching involves using a pointed implement to strike a core or flake in order to detach smaller fragments.

The Harappan civilization transitioned through different phases, and many sites bear evidence of this evolution.
• Dholavira (a): A prominent site in Gujarat but is more famous for its urban planning and water conservation systems.
• Kalibangan (b): Located in Rajasthan, it showcased early signs transitioning into the mature phase.
• Kunal (c): Another important site showcasing the transition.
• Harappa (d): As one of the primary sites, Harappa witnessed and exemplified all phases of the civilization.

The various sites and their respective locations are matched as follows: •Garhdhanora (a): Located in Chhattisgarh (IV), Garhdhanora is an archaeological site with historical significance.
• Eran (b): Eran is located in Madhya Pradesh (I) and is known for its ancient inscriptions and relics, offering a glimpse into India's early history.
• Aragarh (c): Aragarh is in Odisha (II), and it provides insights into the early life and civilization of the region.
• Baruwasagar (d): This site is situated in Uttar Pradesh (III) and is known for its historical importance.

The regional cultural complexes and their corresponding regions are:
• Sothi-Siswal (a): This complex predominantly spans across the regions of Rajasthan-Haryana (II). The archaeological findings here offer insights into ancient urban settlements.
• Bara (b): The Bara culture is found mainly in Punjab-Haryana (III) and offers a rich tapestry of ancient lifestyles.
• Mitathal (c): It is found in Haryana (IV) and is an essential site for understanding the prehistoric period of the region.
• Jhukar-Jhangar (d): This culture is primarily associated with Sind (I) and provides essential clues about the region's ancient civilizations.

The temples and their locations are:
• Brahmapureshvara (a): Located at Pullamangai (IV), this temple is renowned for its architectural magnificence.
• Nageswaraswamy (b): Situated in Kumbakonam (I), this temple is an epitome of South Indian temple architecture.
• Koranganatka (c): This temple is located at Srinivasanallur (III) and is a significant religious site.
• Shiva (d): The temple is found in Norttamalai (II), adding to the long list of Shiva temples across India.

Sites and the botanical remains associated with them are:
• Kausambi (a): Findings here predominantly include Timber (IV), which shows its use in constructions or daily life.
• Atranjikhera (b): The site yielded remains of Deodar (III), pointing towards the ancient trade or climate.
• Narhan (c): At this site, Sandalwood (I) was found, indicating its use in rituals or as a valuable trade item.
• Khairadih (d): Here, Jaiphal (II) was discovered, suggesting its importance in culinary or medicinal practices.

The temples and their deities are:
• Lakshman Temple, Sirpur (a): Dedicated to Vishnu (IV), this temple stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient India.
• Vaitala Temple, Bhubneshwar (b): This temple worships Durga (III) and is a significant religious site in Bhubneshwar.
• Krishna Temple, Ellora (c): As the name suggests, it's dedicated to Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu (IV).
• Meguti Temple, Aihole (d): This temple is dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Mahavir (II), showcasing the rich Jain architectural heritage.