Question

From when did farming and herding begin?
A) Mesolithic Age
B) Palaeolithic Age
C) Neolithic Age
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Microliths were miniature tools made of cryptocrystalline silica and chalcedony, both of non-geometric or geometric shapes, and were the characteristic feature of this particular period. Division of labour on the basis of gender was also seen during this period along with some religious practices.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Mesolithic Age – Mesolithic age, literally refers to the ‘Middle Stone Age’ and it spanned from 20,000 years to 8,000 years ago. Humans had started living in semi-permanent settlements occupied open grounds and sometimes openings of caves. The humans during this time domesticated an animal for the first time, which was the dog. During the end of this age, we can also see the emergence of agriculture, farming and herding of sheep, goats and other animals. Thus, this is the correct option.
Option B) Paleolithic Age – The Paleolithic age or the ‘Old Stone Age’ spanned from roughly 100,000 years to 20,000 years. These were the first humans ever and they had no knowledge of agriculture, settlements, societies, religion etc. The fire was the most significant discovery that they had witnessed. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option C) Neolithic Age – Neolithic Age or the ‘New Stone Age’ spanned from 8000 years ago to the advent of the Chalcolithic age. This period is not regarded as the beginning of farming. This is because farming and herding had been introduced at the end of the Mesolithic age. Therefore, the humans of the Neolithic age already had the knowledge of farming and herding. Therefore, this option is wrong.
Option D) None of the above – This option is incorrect because we have seen that farming and herding were introduced in the latter parts of the Mesolithic Age.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (A) Mesolithic Age.

Note: The Paleolithic Age, Mesolithic Age and the Neolithic Age together make up the Prehistory of the three-age history system that we follow. This ‘prehistory’ refers to that period when languages and writings were not developed. After ‘prehistory’ we see the ‘proto-history’ which indicates the transition period from non-literate civilizations to literate civilizations. It is the study of the literate civilizations that we refer to as ‘recorded history’.