2 Pre-history

Question 1

What is the main criterion for distinguishing prehistory from history?

A) Presence of cultural artifacts
B) Use of writing systems
C) Development of agriculture
D) Appearance of Homo sapiens

Answer 1

B) Use of writing systems

Question 2

Around when did the first continuous tradition of writing begin in Europe?

A) 7000 BCE
B) 2700 BCE
C) 700 BCE
D) 40,000 BCE

Answer 2

C) 700 BCE

Question 3

Where and when did anatomically modern Homo sapiens evolve?

A) Asia, 200,000 years ago
B) Europe, 40,000 years ago
C) Africa, 250,000 to 200,000 years ago
D) The Americas, 100,000 years ago

Answer 3

C) Africa, 250,000 to 200,000 years ago

Question 4

What important characteristic is shared by all humans today?

A) Origins in Europe
B) Biological capacities and species
C) Different biological capacities
D) Lack of creativity and culture

Answer 4

B) Biological capacities and species

Question 5

The Woman of Willendorf, carved about 30,000 BCE, is believed to emphasize which of the following?

A) Strength and warfare
B) Male authority
C) Female fertility
D) The Neolithic Revolution

Answer 5

C) Female fertility

Question 6

The Stone Age is divided into three periods in Europe. Which of the following is NOT one of these periods?

A) Paleolithic
B) Mesolithic
C) Neolithic
D) Iron Age

Answer 6

D) Iron Age

Question 7

What was the primary lifestyle during the Paleolithic period in Europe?

A) Farming and animal domestication
B) Gathering wild plants and hunting large animals
C) Fishing and semi-permanent settlements
D) Herding livestock and living in cities

Answer 7

B) Gathering wild plants and hunting large animals

Question 8

During which period did agriculture and animal domestication begin to spread into Europe from the Near East?

A) Paleolithic
B) Mesolithic
C) Neolithic
D) Bronze Age

Answer 8

C) Neolithic

Question 9

Which of the following statements about Stone Age people is true?

A) They were less intelligent than modern humans.
B) They had complex knowledge of plants, animals, and their environment.
C) They lived in large, structured communities.
D) They lacked language and customs.

Answer 9

B) They had complex knowledge of plants, animals, and their environment.

Question 10

Why is the Mesolithic period often seen as an extension of the Paleolithic?

A) Glaciers fully covered Europe during this time.
B) There were no new technological developments.
C) Hunter-gatherer lifestyles continued with the retreat of glaciers.
D) Permanent settlements were established.

Answer 10

C) Hunter-gatherer lifestyles continued with the retreat of glaciers.

Question 11

What technological discovery allowed Neolithic people to create bronze?

A) Hammering copper
B) Mixing copper with tin
C) Using molten iron
D) Combining gold with silver

Answer 11

B) Mixing copper with tin

Question 12

Which of the following items was commonly made from bronze and found in elite Bronze Age burials?

A) Plows
B) Stone tools
C) Jewelry
D) Iron weapons

Answer 12

C) Jewelry

Question 13

What significant cultural contribution did the nomads from the grassy steppes bring to Europe and Asia around 2800 BCE?

A) Domestication of wheat
B) Introduction of written language
C) Indo-European languages
D) Construction of hillforts

Answer 13

C) Indo-European languages

Question 14

Why is iron considered a more “democratic” metal compared to bronze?

A) Iron was easily mined by common people.
B) Iron requires less heat to shape than bronze.
C) Iron is more flexible and abundant.
D) Iron creates a shiny, polished appearance.

Answer 14

C) Iron is more flexible and abundant.

Question 15

What architectural structure was prominent in Iron Age Europe as a way for chiefs to control territories?

A) Temples
B) Mounds
C) Hillforts
D) Pyramids

Answer 15

C) Hillforts

Question 16

What is a significant new perspective that has emerged about the lifestyle of ancient Britons?

A. They were primarily hunters who focused only on survival without much planning.
B. They engaged in a sophisticated lifestyle with planning and forethought.
C. They were constantly on the move, leaving little evidence behind.
D. They relied heavily on domesticated animals for sustenance.

Answer 16

B. They engaged in a sophisticated lifestyle with planning and forethought.

Question 17

How has science contributed to changing the understanding of the lives of ancient Britons?

A. By enabling archaeologists to track the migration patterns of animals.
B. By using isotope analysis to reveal details about their diet and childhood.
C. By showing that ancient Britons relied entirely on plant-based diets.
D. By confirming that ancient Britons did not interact much with their environment.

Answer 17

B. By using isotope analysis to reveal details about their diet and childhood.

Question 18

What is the significance of the underwater archaeological site at Bouldnor Cliff?

A. It shows the location where Stonehenge builders originally lived.
B. It has preserved organic artifacts that would have decayed on land.
C. It contains stone artifacts that are more durable than those found on land.
D. It is the only prehistoric site in Britain with human DNA remains.

Answer 18

B. It has preserved organic artifacts that would have decayed on land.

Question 19

Why is studying submerged prehistoric landscapes important to understanding ancient British societies?

A. They are the only sites with evidence of ancient human settlements.
B. They reveal new structures that are older than Stonehenge.
C. Much of the original landscape inhabited by ancient Britons is now underwater.
D. They contain the only remnants of early British civilization still visible.

Answer 19

C. Much of the original landscape inhabited by ancient Britons is now underwater.

Question 20

What unexpected evidence was found at Bouldnor Cliff that surprised the researchers?

A. Remains of oak and grasses that shouldn’t have been present.
B. Traces of wheat, suggesting contact with farming societies.
C. Stone tools associated with the later builders of Stonehenge.
D. Evidence of advanced hunting techniques using nets.

Answer 20

B. Traces of wheat, suggesting contact with farming societies.

Question 21

Why is the presence of wheat at the Bouldnor Cliff site significant to archaeologists?

A. It shows that farming developed independently in ancient Britain.
B. It suggests that early Britons were already practicing agriculture.
C. It implies early Britons were connected to farming societies in Europe.
D. It indicates that early Britons lived in a predominantly agricultural society.

Answer 21

C. It implies early Britons were connected to farming societies in Europe.

Question 22

What evidence from Doggerland challenges the traditional view of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers?

A. Tools made only from stone and metals.
B. The absence of any manufactured objects.
C. Jewelry and specialized tools made from bones and antlers.
D. Artifacts made primarily for farming.

Answer 22

C. Jewelry and specialized tools made from bones and antlers.

Question 23

Why was Doggerland an attractive area for animals and humans during the Mesolithic period?

A. It had a dense forest landscape with few open areas.
B. Rising temperatures allowed for the growth of vegetation and prairies.
C. It was a dry desert, ideal for hunting large game.
D. It was an isolated region with limited competition for resources.

Answer 23

B. Rising temperatures allowed for the growth of vegetation and prairies.

Question 24

What surprising discovery did Jim Innes find deep in the soil core that challenges previous beliefs about the Mesolithic landscape?

A. A thick charcoal layer suggesting intense fires.
B. Evidence of early farming techniques.
C. Fossilized remains of Mesolithic tools.
D. A dense layer of clay mixed with ash.

Answer 24

A. A thick charcoal layer suggesting intense fires.

Question 25

Why is the presence of multiple charcoal layers across the moors significant?

A. It implies that widespread fires may have been intentionally set by Mesolithic people.
B. It confirms that natural fires frequently occurred during that period.
C. It proves that the area was cleared by early farmers 6,000 years ago.
D. It suggests that clay and silt layers formed as a result of volcanic activity.

Answer 25

A. It implies that widespread fires may have been intentionally set by Mesolithic people.

Question 26

What is the significance of pollen in Jim’s research on Mesolithic landscapes?

A. It helps identify plant species that existed after the fires and reconstructs past landscapes.
B. It provides evidence of the first farming practices in the Mesolithic era.
C. It shows which animals roamed the landscape at the time.
D. It proves that all fires in the area were naturally occurring.

Answer 26

A. It helps identify plant species that existed after the fires and reconstructs past landscapes.

Question 27

Why might Mesolithic people have intentionally set fires in woodland areas?

A. To create clearings that attracted animals for easier hunting.
B. To cultivate crops in a controlled environment.
C. To prevent the growth of heather and bracken.
D. To create spaces where edible plants could grow, benefiting both humans and animals.

Answer 27

D. To create spaces where edible plants could grow, benefiting both humans and animals.

Question 28

What is the significance of the spring at Blick Mead for Mesolithic people?

A. The constant temperature created a longer growing season for vegetation.
B. It was a primary source of drinking water for nearby settlements.
C. It allowed for easy fishing due to abundant marine life.
D. The algae in the spring caused flint nodules to turn magenta, which may have seemed mystical.

Answer 28

A. The constant temperature created a longer growing season for vegetation.

Question 29

What evidence suggests that Mesolithic people at Blick Mead may have practiced a form of proto animal husbandry?

A. The presence of a large number of flint tools.
B. Evidence of fishing nets found near the spring.
C. The discovery of a house foundation near the spring.
D. The extended vegetation season attracted animals, making hunting more predictable.

Answer 29

D. The extended vegetation season attracted animals, making hunting more predictable.

Question 30

What recent discovery near the Blick Mead spring has challenged traditional views of Mesolithic people?

A. Evidence of a possible semi-permanent house structure.
B. Large quantities of rare flint tools indicating advanced technology.
C. A burial site that shows early forms of religious practices.
D. Evidence of early farming techniques used by Mesolithic people.

Answer 30

A. Evidence of a possible semi-permanent house structure.

Question 31

Why is the site near the coast of South Wales considered exceptional for studying Mesolithic life?

A. It is waterlogged, preserving a wide range of biological evidence like pollen and bones.
B. It is easily accessible year-round, allowing for extensive study.
C. It contains Mesolithic buildings and advanced tools.
D. It provides a dry, well-preserved site free from environmental interference.

Answer 31

A. It is waterlogged, preserving a wide range of biological evidence like pollen and bones.

Question 32

What does the preserved footprint at the South Wales site suggest?

A. A young person, likely around 10 years old, once walked in this area.
B. Only adults visited the site, as evidenced by the size of the footprints.
C. People lived permanently in the region, building permanent shelters.
D. Animals regularly crossed the area during the Mesolithic period.

Answer 32

A. A young person, likely around 10 years old, once walked in this area.

Question 33

What information do scientists gain from studying the chemical makeup of stalagmites?

A. Past temperature and rainfall conditions.
B. The types of minerals that formed in the cave.
C. The exact age of the cave system.
D. Evidence of plant and animal life in the cave.

Answer 33

A. Past temperature and rainfall conditions.

Question 34

What did scientists discover about the climate in the Yorkshire Dales approximately 8,200 years ago?

A. There was a sudden cooling and drying of the climate.
B. The climate remained warm and wet.
C. Temperatures rose significantly due to volcanic activity.
D. The region experienced extreme flooding.

Answer 34

A. There was a sudden cooling and drying of the climate.

Question 35

What caused the sudden flooding event in the North Atlantic around 8,200 years ago?

A. The melting of a giant ice sheet in North America.
B. A massive volcanic eruption.
C. An unexpected rise in rainfall across Europe.
D. A glacier collapse in Greenland.

Answer 35

A. The melting of a giant ice sheet in North America.

Question 36

What geological feature is Doctor Sue Dawson investigating in the Montrose Basin?

A. A distinctive band of sediment interrupting darker organic layers.
B. A series of ancient volcanic rocks.
C. A large fossilized tree trunk.
D. A natural spring of freshwater.

Answer 36

A. A distinctive band of sediment interrupting darker organic layers.

Question 37

How did the massive freshwater flood in the North Atlantic impact the climate of Northwest Europe?

A. It disrupted the Gulf Stream, leading to a drop in temperatures.
B. It caused prolonged drought conditions.
C. It introduced warm tropical waters, making the climate warmer.
D. It led to extreme heat waves and higher annual rainfall.

Answer 37

A. It disrupted the Gulf Stream, leading to a drop in temperatures.

Question 38

What conclusion does Sue Dawson draw from finding the same sand layer along the Scottish coastline and into northern England?

A. It indicates an event that happened and was deposited instantaneously.
B. It suggests ongoing storm activity over a long period.
C. It proves the existence of ancient ocean currents.
D. It signifies a significant rise in sea levels.

Answer 38

A. It indicates an event that happened and was deposited instantaneously.

Question 39

What phenomenon does Sue’s team suggest could have caused the instantaneous deposition of the sand layer along the British coastline?

A. A massive tsunami triggered by a submarine landslide.
B. A series of intense storms over several years.
C. A volcanic eruption on the Norwegian coast.
D. An earthquake followed by extensive flooding.

Answer 39

A. A massive tsunami triggered by a submarine landslide.

Question 40

What significant geological event is linked to the flooding of Doggerland?

A. A catastrophic tsunami resulting from a landslide off Norway.
B. The melting of ice sheets in North America.
C. The rise of tectonic plates in the North Atlantic.
D. The eruption of an underwater volcano.

Answer 40

A. A catastrophic tsunami resulting from a landslide off Norway.

Question 41

What significant change in lifestyle occurred for the first Britons around 6,000 years ago?

A. The transition from a hunter-gatherer society to farming.
B. The development of advanced metallurgy.
C. The establishment of trade routes with continental Europe.
D. The introduction of writing and record-keeping.

Answer 41

A. The transition from a hunter-gatherer society to farming.

Question 42

Which historical period is characterized by the emergence of pottery and the construction of monuments like Stonehenge?

A. The Neolithic period.
B. The Mesolithic period.
C. The Bronze Age.
D. The Iron Age.

Answer 42

A. The Neolithic period.

Question 43

What surprising dietary change did archaeologist Janet Montgomery find in the teeth of the children buried in the cist on Shetland?

A. They consumed increased amounts of marine protein just before they died.
B. They only ate terrestrial foods throughout their childhood.
C. Their diet was exclusively vegetarian.
D. They had a consistent diet of both marine and terrestrial foods.

Answer 43

A. They consumed increased amounts of marine protein just before they died.

Question 44

What environmental factor contributed to the difficulties in farming on Shetland, according to the passage?

A. High winds that blew sand inland from the beaches.
B. Heavy rainfall that flooded the fields.
C. Frequent volcanic eruptions affecting the soil.
D. Severe drought that limited water sources.

Answer 44

A. High winds that blew sand inland from the beaches.

Question 45

What surprising discovery did paleogeneticist Ruth Bollogino make regarding the bones found in the cave in western Germany?

A. They belonged exclusively to farmers who had migrated from other regions.
B. Half of the bones were from hunter-gatherers, indicating a mixed population.
C. The bones showed signs of having been used for tools rather than burial.
D. They were all ancient animal bones rather than human remains.

Answer 45

B. Half of the bones were from hunter-gatherers, indicating a mixed population.

Question 46

Why are caves considered important for paleogenetic research, according to Ruth Bollogino?

A. They provide access to ancient artifacts and tools.
B. The temperature in caves remains constant, preserving DNA well.
C. Caves are typically larger and easier to excavate than other sites.
D. They are often located near ancient farming settlements.

Answer 46

B. The temperature in caves remains constant, preserving DNA well.

Question 47

What surprising conclusion did Ruth reach after analyzing the isotope data from the burial chamber?

A. Both groups were primarily consuming domesticated animals.
B. The farming group and the hunter-gatherers had completely different diets.
C. There was no evidence of coexistence between the two groups.
D. The hunter-gatherers were more successful in adopting farming practices.

Answer 47

B. The farming group and the hunter-gatherers had completely different diets.

Question 48

What does the evidence suggest about the cultural assimilation of the hunter-gatherers and farmers in Germany?

A. Cultural assimilation happened quickly and was widely accepted.
B. Hunter-gatherers were resistant to farming practices.
C. Farmers actively sought to convert hunter-gatherers to agriculture.
D. There was no interaction between the two groups.

Answer 48

B. Hunter-gatherers were resistant to farming practices.

Question 49

What evidence does David Jacques believe supports the idea that Mesolithic culture survived into the Neolithic?

A. The presence of wild deer and boar bones at Stonehenge.
B. The construction of permanent settlements by the Mesolithic people.
C. Artifacts indicating trade with other cultures.
D. Genetic studies of modern Britons.

Answer 49

A. The presence of wild deer and boar bones at Stonehenge.

Question 50

According to the text, how do modern perceptions of Mesolithic people differ from previous beliefs?

A. They are now seen as less intelligent than previously thought.
B. They are understood to have been part of complex social networks.
C. They are believed to have had a simpler lifestyle focused solely on survival.
D. They are thought to have avoided interaction with their environment.

Answer 50

B. They are understood to have been part of complex social networks.