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U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2008

Archaeological Continuity

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The cultural remains from Stone Age to Harappan Civilization have been obtained from which one of the following ancient sites?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Few sites in the world show a continuous sequence of human occupation across major technological epochs (Stone Age -> Neolithic -> Bronze Age).

Explanation Excavations at Mehrgarh show a stratigraphic sequence beginning with aceramic Neolithic (Stone Age) and evolving directly into the pre-Harappan and Harappan cultures.

Logical Breakup
Mehrgarh (B): Provides the uninterrupted 'missing link' between early prehistoric hunters and the sophisticated urban Harappans.
Amri/Kotdiji: These are pre-Harappan sites but do not show the same deep time depth reaching back to the early Neolithic Stone Age.

Active Recall

Question

How long was Mehrgarh continuously occupied?

Answer

It was occupied from roughly 7000 BCE to 2500 BCE, spanning the early Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and the start of the Bronze Age.

Core Insight

Mehrgarh is the key archaeological site that proves the Indus Valley Civilization was an indigenous development that grew out of local Stone Age cultures.

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