U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2006

Prehistoric Transitions

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

According to the excavated evidence, the domestication of animal began in-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept The shift from predatory hunting to managing livestock began in the Holocene epoch, specifically the Mesolithic stage.

Explanation Earliest reliable evidence for animal domestication in the subcontinent comes from Bagor (Rajasthan) and Adamgarh (MP), dating to the Mesolithic era (c. 5000 BCE).

Logical Breakup
Mesolithic Period (D): Characterized by microliths and the first signs of herding sheep, goats, and cattle.
Palaeolithic: Primarily a hunter-gatherer stage with no evidence of animal husbandry.

Active Recall

Question

What was the first animal domesticated in the Mesolithic period?

Answer

The dog is generally considered the first animal to be domesticated by humans.

Core Insight

Domestication was a revolutionary survival strategy that provided a constant supply of protein and raw materials, independent of the success of the hunt.