Current Affairs: Passage of the Week - 5 May 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
 The discovery — confirmed by the former joint director-general of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) SB Ota — has taken the lid off a treasure trove of Lower Palaeolithic artifacts dating back to humanity's earliest known phase of development — the Acheulean culture.

"We're peering through a window that opens half a million years into our past. Mangar Bani isn't just another prehistoric site, it's a complete workshop where our ancestors crafted their tools, lived, and thrived," said Ota, who led the survey. 

The survey, however, traces its roots to the early 90s, when the ASI team conducted a small-scale excavation in Anangpur. "After that, there was a gap. And now, we are starting again," he added.

The weeklong exploration unveiled a collection of over 200 artefacts, including stone tools that bear testament to the presence of Homo erectus — a human species from the Pleistocene age. These ancient craftsmen worked primarily with locally sourced sandstone and quartzite, turning them into cleavers, handaxes, and various types of scrapers.

What makes this discovery particularly significant is the presence of both finished tools and manufacturing debris — or "lithic debitage" — scattered across the site. "It tells us this wasn't just a place where tools were used, but where they were born," Ota said.

The archaeological team conducted the surveys in Mangar Bani, the surrounding hills and nearby Bandhwari. Apart from Ota, the team included his colleague Niharika Srivastava from the Academy for Archaeological Heritage Research and Training; Chetan Agarwal, a senior fellow; and Sunil Harsana, a researcher associated with the Centre for Ecology, Development and Research.

"The tools we discovered were likely used for a variety of tasks — from butchering animals and cutting trees to cleaning hides and polishing wood. The level of refinement in these tools suggests this site could have existed in the later part of the Acheulean period. So, its estimated age could well be around 500,000 to 200,000 years," Ota said.

While Attirampakkam near Chennai is currently the oldest known Acheulian site in India at 1.7 million years old, Mangar Bani is among the most important for this cultural phase in north India, given its tool-making evidence and strategic location in the Aravali hill range.

The team plans to submit a preliminary report to Haryana govt within the next month, advocating for legal and environmental protection of the site. Currently, Mangar Bani and its surrounding Aravalis are part of the Natural Conservation Zone, which restricts construction around it, but lacks formal heritage protection.

The site lies near the now-defunct Mangar Nallah, a seasonal stream that may have provided water for early human settlers the year round. "The hilltops here are flat, close to raw materials, and would have supported a range of prehistoric activities. It's a textbook example of an ideal Stone Age settlement site," said Chetan Agarwal.

Ota agreed that a more detailed and scientific analysis of the site was required, including sampling of sediments to ascertain the date. "This is not just a site of national importance, but of global significance. It deserves protection, study, and recognition," he added.

The ASI, however, has no immediate plans to protect the site. "Right now, we haven't had any requests like that. If we do, we will act on it," said Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, the current joint director-general of ASI.

Bhattacharya, however, agreed that the Mangar Bani sites were of utmost importance.

"The Lower Paleolithic tools and stone tools found here signify the earliest type of human occupation. Moreover, there are a few rock shelters with painted walls in Mangar, which are equally significant as well. We have another important site in Anangpur, where we found evidence of factories," she added.

​[Excerpt from TOI "Echoes of Early Man" Dated 05/05/25]

Q1: What is the significance of the archaeological findings in the Mangar region?
(a) They provide evidence of ancient human settlements.
(b) They offer insights into prehistoric tools and daily life.
(c) They help in the study of ancient geological formations.
(d) They indicate the presence of ancient cities.

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
The findings in Mangar, including tools and cave paintings, help researchers understand the daily lives of early humans, particularly hunter-gatherers, during the Lower and Upper Palaeolithic eras.

Q2: What is the highest point of the Aravalli Range?
(a) Guru Shikhar
(b) Mount Everest
(c) Arbuda Hills
(d) Sambhar Hill

View Answer  

Ans: (a)
Guru Shikhar, located in Rajasthan's Arbuda Hills, is the highest point of the Aravalli Range, standing at 1,722 meters (5,650 feet).

Q3: Which technique is being used to date the tools found in Mangar Bani?
(a) Carbon dating
(b) Thermoluminescence dating
(c) Dendrochronology
(d) Potassium-argon dating

View Answer  

Ans: (b)

The archaeological team is using thermoluminescence dating, which measures the accumulated radiation dose in the materials since they were last exposed to heat or sunlight.

Q4: What is the primary ecological concern regarding Mangar Bani?
(a) Overpopulation of animal species
(b) Urban development threatening the site
(c) Water scarcity in the region
(d) Deforestation due to illegal logging

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Urban development, particularly in the form of real estate expansion, threatens Mangar Bani's archaeological and ecological heritage, as it could lead to the loss of its biodiversity and historical value.

Q5: What is the proposed solution for protecting Mangar Bani's archaeological and ecological heritage?
(a) Promote commercial development in the area.
(b) Establish it as an official protected forest and archaeological site.
(c) Relocate the artefacts to museums.
(d) Increase mining activities for copper and zinc.

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Experts recommend that Mangar Bani be officially recognized for its archaeological value and protected as a forest, ensuring the preservation of its biodiversity and archaeological significance.