Test: Prehistoric Rock Paintings- 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

Prehistoric people used rocks and minerals like haematite (for red) and chalcedony (for green) to create paints. They mixed these materials with water and sticky substances like animal fat. They did not use modern-day brushes.

The  remnants of rock paintings have been found on the walls of the caves situated in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar.

- The Assertion is true as the prehistoric rock art indeed provides insights into the cultural and spiritual lives of early humans in India.

- The Reason is false because the prehistoric rock art has not remained completely unchanged; it has evolved over time and reflects various cultural influences.

- Since the Reason does not correctly explain the Assertion, Option C is the correct choice, indicating that while the Assertion is true, the Reason is not.

The brushes used by the artists of Bhimbetka were made of plant fiber, according to the given passage. The paints were made by grinding various rocks and minerals, and then mixed with water and some thick or sticky substance such as animal fat or gum or resin from trees. But the brushes were made of plant fiber, which was likely a suitable material for the brushes due to its flexibility and ability to hold the paint.

The Bhimbetka rock shelters were discovered by V.S. Wakankar and contain paintings of human figures, animals, and daily life activities, showcasing prehistoric art.

• Statement I is true because the Mesolithic Period indeed had smaller, more varied paintings, with a significant focus on hunting scenes.
• Statement II is false because the Upper Palaeolithic Period did not focus on daily life activities; rather, it is known for large animal depictions and stick-like human figures.

Archibald Carlleyle is credited with the discovery of the first rock paintings in India during the years 1867-1868. His work marked a significant moment in the study of prehistoric art, as these findings predate the well-known Altamira caves in Spain. The discovery of rock art in India has provided valuable insights into the lives and cultures of early humans, showcasing their artistic expressions and connection to the environment. An interesting fact is that these early artworks often serve as a window into social practices and beliefs of prehistoric communities.

• Assertion (A) is true because during the Upper Palaeolithic period, artworks prominently featured large animals such as bisons and elephants, along with human figures.
• Reason (R) is also true as the Mesolithic period indeed showed a variety of themes, especially focusing on hunting scenes.
• However, Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A) since the focus of the Upper Palaeolithic period is different from the thematic focus of the Mesolithic period. Thus, both statements are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

• The Assertion is correct because the rock art at Bhimbetka has indeed been categorized into seven distinct historical periods.
• The Reason is also correct as each period showcases different styles and techniques, reflecting the evolution of artistic expression.
• Furthermore, the Reason provides a correct explanation for the Assertion, as the categorization into periods is based on these stylistic and technical evolutions.

• The first event is the discovery of rock paintings in India by Archibald Carlleyle in 1867-1868.
• This is followed by the Upper Palaeolithic Period when large animals were depicted.
• The next period is the Mesolithic Period, characterized by smaller, more detailed paintings, especially hunting scenes.
• Finally, the Bhimbetka Caves were discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957-1958.

• The Assertion is correct. The rock paintings in India indeed date back to the Upper Palaeolithic era and represent various subjects, including animals and human figures.
• The Reason is also true; Archibald Carlleyle's discovery in 1867-1868 marked the recognition of these paintings.
• However, the Reason does not serve as a correct explanation for the Assertion because the existence of the paintings predates their discovery.
• This indicates they were already part of India's prehistoric art long before Carlleyle's findings.

Upper Palaeolithic art often depicted large animals like rhinos and tigers, as well as stick-like human figures, using simple lines and basic colors like green and red.

The rock shelters that bear paintings on the banks of the River Suyal are located at Lakhudiyar, about twenty kilometres on the Almora– Barechina road.

Mesolithic art frequently depicted hunting scenes and community dances as part of their daily life, with simple, stylistic representations.

• I-(ii): The Upper Palaeolithic Period is known for its depictions of large animals like bisons, elephants, and stick-like human figures, as indicated in the text.
• II-(i): The Mesolithic Period, characterized by the largest number of paintings, predominantly depicted hunting scenes.
• III-(iii): The Bhimbetka Caves were discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957-1958.
• IV-(iv): Rock shelter paintings in Karnataka used granite rocks for art and depicted animals like bulls and elephants.