From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food - Free MCQ Test with solutions,

Neolithic, also called New Stone Age, final stage of cultural evolution or technological development among prehistoric humans. It was characterized by stone tools shaped by polishing or grinding, dependence on domesticated plants or animals, settlement in permanent villages, and the appearance of such crafts as pottery and weaving. The Neolithic followed the Paleolithic Period, or age of chipped-stone tools, and preceded the Bronze Age, or early period of metal tools.

Hunt Wild Animals: Early humans relied on hunting wild animals for food. They used various tools such as spears, bows, and arrows to hunt for meat.

Catch Fish and Birds: In addition to hunting land animals, early humans also caught fish and birds for food. They used fishing tools like nets, hooks, and spears to catch aquatic animals.

Collect Leaves, Fruits, Roots: Early humans supplemented their diet by collecting plant-based foods such as leaves, fruits, and roots. They foraged for edible plants in their surroundings.

People started using earthen pots for cooking food such as rice, wheat and lentils, as these had become an important part of the diet.

It began about 12,000 years ago. Virtually all the plants and animals produce that we use as food today is a result of domestication. Some of the earliest plants to be domesticated were wheat and barley. The earliest domesticated animals include sheep and goat.

• Dog: The first animal to be tamed was the wild ancestor of the dog. Dogs were domesticated by humans thousands of years ago for various purposes such as hunting, protection, and companionship.


• Cattle, Goat, and Sheep: While these animals were also domesticated by humans at different points in history, the dog holds the distinction of being the first animal to be tamed.


• Importance of Dog Domestication: The domestication of dogs played a significant role in the development of human civilization. Dogs provided early humans with valuable assistance in hunting, guarding settlements, and even companionship.


• Evolution of Dogs: Over time, dogs have evolved into various breeds with different characteristics suited for different tasks. Today, dogs are cherished as loyal companions and are considered an integral part of many households around the world.

The tools such as points, crescentic blades, and scrapers were used in the:

2. Middle Stone Age (also known as the Mesolithic Age).

This period is characterized by the development of more refined and specialized tools, including microliths like blades and points, which were often used for hunting and other purposes.

Mesolithic, also called Middle Stone Age, ancient cultural stage that existed between the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), with its chipped stone tools, and the Neolithic (New Stone Age), with its polished stone.

• Handmade and Dried in the Sun: Neolithic man learned the art of pottery making by hand, shaping the clay into pots, bowls, and other vessels. These pottery pieces were then dried in the sun to harden.


• Use of Wheel: As pottery making advanced, the potter's wheel was invented and used to create more symmetrical and intricate pottery pieces. The wheel allowed for faster and more efficient production of pottery.


• Importance of Pottery: Pottery played a crucial role in Neolithic societies as it was used for storing food, cooking, and even religious purposes. The art of pottery making marked a significant advancement in human civilization during the Neolithic period.

Historians and archaeologists come to know why animals were important in the Megalithic age primarily through the discovery of animal bones in burials. This is significant for several reasons:

1. Ritual Significance: The inclusion of animal bones in burials suggests that animals played a crucial role in the ritualistic or spiritual practices of the Megalithic people. It indicates that animals were possibly revered or considered important for the afterlife.

2. Economic Importance: Finding animal bones in burials provides evidence that animals were an essential part of the economy, likely used for food, labor, clothing, and other purposes. This highlights their role in the daily lives and sustenance of the people.

3. Symbolic Meaning: Animals buried with humans might also symbolize status or wealth. The presence of certain types of animals in burials could indicate the social status of the individuals buried with them.

4. Cultural Practices: The practice of burying animals with humans can reveal a lot about the cultural and social practices of the time, showing how humans interacted with animals and their environment.

In contrast, finding animals in forests or at Neolithic sites does not specifically indicate their importance in the Megalithic age. Therefore, the bones of animals found in burials provide direct evidence of their significance during this period.

Because they were food gatherer not food-producers. They did not have large quantity of grains as a produce from agriculture. They did not require any pot or basket to store grains.