Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 3 May 2024 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.  

According to reports, archaeologists have discovered a previously unknown prehistoric settlement of notable size in southeastern Europe. If reports are to go by, this pre-historic is believed to be dating back approximately 7,000 years to the late Neolithic period, where this settlement is situated near the Tamiš River in the Banat region of northeastern Serbia, a landlocked country in the Balkans.
"This discovery holds exceptional significance, as few larger Late Neolithic settlements have been identified in the Serbian Banat region," as per the research leader Martin Furholt from the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology (IPPA) at Kiel University in Germany.
Reports further add that the researchers used geophysical methods, to fully map the extent of the settlement, which further revealed an area spanning roughly 11-13 hectares, encircled by four to six ditches. "A settlement of this magnitude is truly extraordinary. The geophysical data also provides insight into the structure of the site 7,000 years ago," remarked Fynn Wilkes, co-team leader of the German-Serbian research team with the IPPA.
In addition to the mapping, archaeologists surveyed the ground surface for artifacts, indicating an association with the Vinča culture, dated between 5400 BC. and 4400 BC. This prehistoric group occupied southeastern-central Europe, primarily corresponding to Serbia, Kosovo, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Known for establishing some of prehistoric Europe's largest settlements, the Vinča culture left a distinctive mark on the region.
While the newly discovered settlement near the modern village of Jarkovac in Vojvodina province is linked to the Vinča culture, it also exhibits strong influences from the regional Banat prehistoric culture. "This aspect is noteworthy, considering the limited knowledge of settlements with Banat culture materials in present-day Serbia," noted Wilkes.
Ongoing analyses of findings from the site are expected to shed further light on prehistoric societies in the region. "Southeast Europe plays a pivotal role in understanding the dissemination of knowledge and technologies during early periods of human history, including the emergence of social inequalities," added Furholt. This region witnessed the initial appearance of new technologies and knowledge, such as metalworking, in Europe, he further added.
[Excerpt from Times of India “Archaeologists uncover 7000-year-old Prehistoric Settlement in Serbia” Dated 03/05/24] 

Q1: What is the approximate age of the recently discovered prehistoric settlement near the Tamiš River in Serbia?
(a) 5000 years
(b) 7000 years
(c) 9000 years
(d) 11000 years

  View Answer

Q2: Which culture is associated with the artifacts found at the prehistoric settlement near Jarkovac?
(a) Vinča culture
(b) Banat culture
(c) Ottoman culture
(d) Roman culture

  View Answer

Q3: Who led the research team that discovered the prehistoric settlement in Serbia?
(a) Martin Furholt
(b) John Smith
(c) Maria Garcia
(d) David Johnson

  View Answer

Q4: Which region does the Banat culture encompass?
(a) Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia
(b) Romania, Serbia, and Hungary
(c) Greece, Albania, and Bulgaria
(d) Italy, Switzerland, and Austria

  View Answer

Q5: What is a significant aspect of the Vinča culture?
(a) Advanced metallurgy
(b) Unique pottery styles
(c) Maritime trade
(d) Monumental architecture

  View Answer