Question

Compare and contrast the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Age.

Answer 1

Instructions: This is a three-mark question. Tabulate and show differences between them based on the differences in tools, food, settlements and examples.

Solution:
The Palaeolithic humans used weapons made of rough stones. They also used bones of animals, ivory, and pieces of wood as weapons. Neolithic humans were more advanced and used polished stone tools like ploughshare and spade.
The Palaeolithic humans hunted collectively and the stronger among them led the group. They ate the flesh of hunted animals and carcasses. In the Neolithic Age there was a change in lifestyle from food gathering to food production. Neolithic humans cultivated crops like wheat, barley, paddy and settled down near river valleys. They also reared animals for food. Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh and Gufkral in Kashmir are examples of Palaeolithic and Neolithic sites, respectively.