Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it. Amidst a maze of rocks tucked in the Aravalli mountain ranges of Haryana, a team of archaeologists discovered cave paintings they believe belong to the Upper Palaeolithic age. The cave paintings have been discovered just outside the national capital and a stone’s throw away from a holy grove called Mangar Bani- the region’s only surviving patch of primary forest. While the residents of the villages have been familiar with the paintings for ages, the Haryana government’s museum and archaeology department took note of them just recently. A fact-finding team was sent to the area in the last week of June. The team came across cave paintings comprising images of human figurines, animals, foliage, and geometric drawings. While some have paled over time, others are still very visible. They also discovered rock art and open-air ceremonial sites. Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the department of archaeology and museums informed, “So far, cave paintings in Delhi-NCR have only been found here. The paintings are yet to be dated but at least some of them belong to the Upper Palaeolithic period in all likelihood. We are viewing the paintings in continuation with the Soanian culture which has been found in Shivalik hills, Narmada and Aravallis.” Most of the cave paintings found were in ochre colour, but some were in white. As per experts, cave paintings in white are usually from a later stage (early contemporary era), while Stone Age paintings are more often than not in ochre. “Stone age paintings generally use red and ochre colours. Stones of these colour used to be available locally and inhabitants crushed the stones for preparing the colour for paintings,” added Bhattacharyya. The Upper Paleolithic Age began around 40,000 years ago and lasted till around 10,000 years ago. While yet to be established through archaeological dating, Bhattacharyya says the Mangar cave art is 20,000-40,000 years old. Bhattacharyya claimed that the discovery is extremely significant. “Starting from the Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Palaeolithic then Upper Palaeolithic, we see the evolution here. We have found significant remains from Lower Palaeolithic till Middle and Upper Palaeolithic period too,” she explained. “Though tools from the Palaeolithic Age have been identified earlier in parts of the Aravallis, it is for the first time that cave paintings and rock art of a large magnitude have been found in Haryana,” she added.
Which of the following statement is NOT correct according to the passage?
Analyzing the Passage on Haryana Cave Paintings
The passage discusses the discovery of ancient cave paintings in the Aravalli mountain ranges of Haryana, near Mangar Bani. These paintings are believed to belong to the Upper Palaeolithic age. The text provides details about the nature of the paintings, their colours, estimated age, and significance.
Evaluating Each Statement Based on the Passage
Let's examine each statement given in the options and compare it with the information provided in the passage to determine which one is not correct.
-
Statement 1: The cave men crushed the locally available stones for preparing the colour for paintings.
The passage states: "Stone age paintings generally use red and ochre colours. Stones of these colour used to be available locally and inhabitants crushed the stones for preparing the colour for paintings." This sentence directly supports Statement 1. Therefore, this statement is correct according to the passage.
-
Statement 2: The paintings comprise images of human figurines, animals, foliage, and geometric drawings.
The passage mentions that the team "came across cave paintings comprising images of human figurines, animals, foliage, and geometric drawings." This sentence directly supports Statement 2. Therefore, this statement is correct according to the passage.
-
Statement 3: The Mangar cave art is 20,000-40,000 years old.
The passage quotes Banani Bhattacharyya saying, "While yet to be established through archaeological dating, Bhattacharyya says the Mangar cave art is 20,000-40,000 years old." This sentence directly supports Statement 3. Therefore, this statement is correct according to the passage, albeit pending formal dating.
-
Statement 4: The paintings in red belong to early contemporary era.
The passage discusses the colours used in the paintings and their potential age:
- Most paintings are in ochre.
- Some are in white.
- Experts say white paintings are usually from a later stage (early contemporary era).
- Stone Age paintings are more often in ochre.
- "Stone age paintings generally use red and ochre colours."
The passage explicitly links red and ochre colours to Stone Age paintings, not the early contemporary era. It links white paintings to the early contemporary era. Therefore, Statement 4 contradicts the information in the passage.
Identifying the Incorrect Statement
Based on the analysis, Statement 4, which claims that paintings in red belong to the early contemporary era, is incorrect according to the passage. The passage states that red and ochre colours were typically used in Stone Age paintings, while white was associated with later (early contemporary) periods.
Therefore, the statement that is NOT correct according to the passage is: The paintings in red belong to early contemporary era.
Revision Table: Key Facts from the Passage
| Feature | Information from Passage |
|---|---|
| Location | Aravalli ranges, Haryana, near Mangar Bani |
| Estimated Age | Upper Palaeolithic (likely 20,000-40,000 years old) |
| Image types | Human figurines, animals, foliage, geometric drawings |
| Colours used | Ochre (most common), White (some) |
| Colour-Age link | Stone Age: Red and Ochre; Later/Early contemporary: White |
| Colour preparation | Locally available stones crushed |
Additional Information on Palaeolithic Cave Art
Cave paintings and rock art are invaluable sources of information about the lives, beliefs, and environments of prehistoric humans. The Palaeolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age, spans a vast period and is typically divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper phases.
- Lower Palaeolithic: Primarily associated with early human ancestors and simple stone tools. Art is rare.
- Middle Palaeolithic: Linked to Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. Some evidence of symbolic behaviour and simple art exists.
- Upper Palaeolithic: The period when complex human culture flourished, marked by sophisticated tools, diverse artefacts, and abundant evidence of art, including spectacular cave paintings found globally (like those in Lascaux, France, or Altamira, Spain). This era saw significant cognitive and cultural development.
The discovery in Haryana is significant because it adds to the relatively sparse evidence of Upper Palaeolithic art in India, connecting it potentially to broader cultural traditions like the Soanian culture mentioned in the passage.
The techniques and materials used in these ancient paintings, such as crushing minerals like ochre, demonstrate an understanding of colour preparation and application that is remarkable for the period.
Similar Questions
Who is ‘he’ referred to in the first paragraph of the passage?
Which of the following can help one to "take on" an empire?
What led to the growth of the legend of Mahatma Gandhi among the Indians?
Bapu was known for his:
According to the passage, British had a monopoly of producing which of the following products?
The word ‘contiguous’ means
The cave paintings found in Aravalli hills are significant mainly because
Most of the cave paintings found in Mangar forest area in Haryana are in which colour?
The archaeological findings in the Mangar Forest consist of all the following except
Match the following crops with the area.
Crop area in 2022-23
a. millets 1. 98.02 lakh hectares
b. pulses 2. 53.49 lakh hectares
c. mustard 3. 167.86 lakh hectares
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?
What are ice shelves?
What are icebergs?
When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________
