CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Society, Economy and Craft -

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CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Society, Economy and Craft

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Society, Economy and Craft

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

In the context of Harappan burials, which strategy is primarily used by archaeologists to track social differences?

Answer Review

1 In the context of Harappan burials, which strategy is primarily used by archaeologists to track social differences?

A Analyzing the languages written on graves.

B Studying the variations in burial pits and the goods placed within them.

C Comparing Harappan pyramids with Egyptian ones.

D Examining the height of the burial monuments.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Burial practices reveal social distinctions. �� Grave goods vary among burials. �� Archaeologists use such differences to study status.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Archaeologists identify social differences in Harappan society by examining variations in burial practices, including the structure of burial pits and the quantity or type of objects buried with individuals. Option B correctly reflects this method. Options A, C, and D are unsupported because Harappan graves lack written records, pyramids, and monumental tomb structures.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Harappan script has not been deciphered, and graves do not provide readable language evidence for social ranking.
�� Option C → Harappans did not build pyramids, making such comparisons archaeologically irrelevant.
�� Option D → Monumental burial structures are not characteristic of Harappan burials.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify the archaeological evidence directly linked to social differentiation.

Final Logic:

Burial goods and pit variations provide the strongest evidence of social differences.

🧠 Memory Trick

Burial Goods = Social Clues

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Social Differences and Burials

2 Which of the following is INCORRECT regarding Harappan beliefs based on grave goods?

A Some graves contained pottery and ornaments.

B Copper mirrors were occasionally buried with the dead.

C The Harappans heavily believed in burying massive hoards of gold with the dead.

D Goods were likely placed with a belief in the afterlife.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Graves contained limited goods. �� Pottery and ornaments were common finds. �� Massive gold hoards are absent from burials.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Harappan burials sometimes contained pottery, ornaments, and occasionally copper mirrors, suggesting a belief that such objects could be useful in the afterlife. However, unlike some ancient civilizations, Harappans did not bury massive hoards of gold with the dead. Therefore Option C is incorrect and hence the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Archaeological excavations have recovered pottery and ornaments from several graves.
�� Option B → Copper mirrors have occasionally been found among burial goods.
�� Option D → Placement of grave goods is commonly interpreted as reflecting beliefs regarding the afterlife.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

Watch for exaggerated words such as "massive hoards" and "heavily believed."

Final Logic:

The extreme claim about gold burials makes Option C incorrect.

🧠 Memory Trick

Harappa = Simple Graves, Not Gold Hoards

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Grave Goods and Beliefs

3 Assertion (A): All Harappan burial pits were identically designed to reflect an egalitarian society.
Reason (R): Variations like hollowed-out spaces lined with bricks have been completely absent in excavations.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D Both A and R are false.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Burial designs were not identical. �� Some graves show structural variations. �� Brick-lined burial features have been found.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Archaeological evidence shows that Harappan burials were not completely uniform. Some graves had special features such as hollowed-out spaces lined with bricks, suggesting variation in burial treatment. Therefore the Assertion is false. The Reason is also false because such brick-lined features have indeed been discovered during excavations. Hence Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Both statements are factually incorrect according to archaeological evidence.
�� Option B → Neither statement is true, so this option cannot be correct.
�� Option C → The Assertion itself is incorrect because burial variation existed.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Verify the truth of both the Assertion and Reason separately.

Final Logic:

Both statements contradict archaeological findings.

🧠 Memory Trick

Burials Varied, Not Uniform

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Burial Variations

4 In some Harappan graves, the hollowed-out spaces were lined with _____, which archaeologists question as an indication of social differences.

A Bricks

B Marble

C Wood

D Steatite

💡 Short Explanation

�� Some graves had special construction. �� Brick lining distinguished certain burials. �� Archaeologists link this to possible status differences.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Excavations have revealed that certain Harappan graves contained hollowed-out spaces lined with bricks. Archaeologists consider whether such differences indicate social distinctions within society. Marble, wood, and steatite are not identified as the characteristic lining material in these graves. Therefore Option A is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Marble was not used for lining these burial spaces.
�� Option C → Wooden linings have not been identified as the relevant feature here.
�� Option D → Steatite was widely used in craft production, not burial pit lining.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Recall the specific archaeological feature associated with burial variation.

Final Logic:

Brick-lined graves are the documented example.

🧠 Memory Trick

Special Grave = Brick Lining

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Burial Architecture

📄 Passage

"Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women. In fact, in the excavations at the cemetery in Harappa in the mid-1980s, an ornament consisting of three shell rings, a jasper (a kind of semi-precious stone) bead and hundreds of micro beads was found near the skull of a male."

According to the passage, the presence of pottery and ornaments in graves suggests:

A A belief that they could be used in the afterlife.

B A ritual of discarding broken items.

C That the deceased was a bead-maker.

D That they were used as currency for the gods.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Grave goods accompanied the dead. �� Objects may have symbolic importance. �� They suggest belief in an afterlife.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage explicitly states that pottery and ornaments may have been placed in graves because people believed they could be used in the afterlife. This interpretation is based on the presence of burial goods. Options B, C, and D are not mentioned in the passage and lack supporting evidence. Therefore, Option A is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → The passage does not describe disposal of broken objects.
�� Option C → Grave goods do not prove the deceased was a bead-maker.
�� Option D → No evidence suggests the objects functioned as currency for gods.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Use the exact statement provided in the passage.

Final Logic:

The passage directly links grave goods to afterlife beliefs.

🧠 Memory Trick

Grave Goods = Afterlife Use

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Burials and Afterlife Beliefs

📄 Passage

Based on the passage, the ornament found near the skull of a male at Harappa included:

A A single copper mirror and gold caps.

B Three shell rings, a jasper bead, and micro beads.

C An elaborate head-dress of mother goddess.

D A miniature pot of faience.

💡 Short Explanation

�� The passage describes a specific burial find. �� The ornament was discovered near a male skull. �� It consisted of shell rings, jasper, and micro beads.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage explicitly mentions that an ornament found near the skull of a male at Harappa consisted of three shell rings, one jasper bead, and hundreds of micro beads. This provides direct archaeological evidence of jewellery in male burials. Therefore Option B is correct. The remaining options are not mentioned in the passage.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Copper mirrors and gold caps are not described in the passage.
�� Option C → No elaborate head-dress is mentioned among the burial finds.
�� Option D → The ornament did not include a faience pot.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Locate the exact description provided in the passage.

Final Logic:

The passage directly identifies the ornament's components.

🧠 Memory Trick

3 Shells + Jasper + Micro Beads

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Jewellery in Burials

7 Arrange the following materials/objects in the chronological order of their complexity in processing as implied by luxury classification:
1. Firing ground sand/silica with colour and gum
2. Collecting ordinary clay
3. Making little pots of faience
4. Shaping ordinary clay into querns

A 1, 3, 2, 4

B 3, 1, 4, 2

C 4, 2, 3, 1

D 2, 4, 1, 3

💡 Short Explanation

�� Ordinary clay required minimal processing. �� Querns involved shaping clay. �� Faience production required advanced technology.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The sequence progresses from the simplest to the most complex process. First, ordinary clay is collected. Next, it is shaped into utilitarian objects like querns. More advanced technology is required to prepare faience material by firing ground silica mixed with colour and gum. Finally, luxury items such as faience pots are produced. Hence Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Begins with advanced faience processing rather than simple clay collection.
�� Option B → Places the finished faience product before raw material preparation.
�� Option C → Incorrectly reverses the order of clay collection and shaping.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Arrange steps from basic raw material use to luxury craft production.

Final Logic:

Clay Collection → Shaping → Faience Preparation → Faience Product.

🧠 Memory Trick

Clay → Quern → Faience Mix → Faience Pot

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Craft Production and Faience

8 Assertion (A): Little pots of faience were considered precious luxuries in Harappan society.
Reason (R): Faience was an ordinary material naturally found in abundance across all settlements.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Faience items were luxury products. �� Production required specialized technology. �� Faience was manufactured, not naturally abundant.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Little pots made of faience were considered valuable luxury items because their production required specialized knowledge and processing techniques. Faience was not a naturally occurring material found abundantly across settlements; it was artificially produced from ground silica, colour, and gum. Therefore, the Assertion is true, while the Reason is false, making Option C correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → The Reason is factually incorrect and cannot explain the Assertion.
�� Option B → Both statements are not true because the Reason is false.
�� Option D → The Assertion is correct since faience objects were regarded as luxury goods.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Check the truth value of both Assertion and Reason independently.

Final Logic:

Luxury status is true; natural abundance is false.

🧠 Memory Trick

Faience = Luxury, Not Natural

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Faience and Luxury Goods

9 Why are hoards mostly discovered in larger settlements?

A Because rural people never wore jewellery.

B Valuable objects like gold and faience were generally concentrated in large urban centers.

C Large centers had more land for farming.

D Small settlements did not have metal-workers at all.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Luxury goods were unevenly distributed. �� Urban centres accumulated wealth. �� Hoards therefore occur more frequently in cities.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Large Harappan urban centres such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro contained greater concentrations of luxury goods including gold, faience, and precious ornaments. As a result, hoards are more commonly discovered in these settlements. Options A, C, and D are unsupported generalizations and do not explain the archaeological pattern.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Rural inhabitants also possessed ornaments, though generally fewer luxury goods.
�� Option C → Agricultural land availability does not explain the concentration of hoards.
�� Option D → Small settlements could also have craft specialists and metal-workers.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect the occurrence of hoards with wealth concentration.

Final Logic:

Luxury goods accumulated in major urban centres.

🧠 Memory Trick

Big City = Big Hoard

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Distribution of Luxury Goods

10 Match the settlement type with the typical finds:

List I	List II
1. Kalibangan	a. Hoards of gold
2. Harappa	b. Rare miniature pots
3. Mohenjodaro	c. Absence of faience pots
4. Small settlements	d. Querns and ordinary pottery

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-d, 4-c

B 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d

C 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d

D 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b

💡 Short Explanation

�� Different settlements yielded different artefacts. �� Large cities contained luxury goods. �� Smaller settlements mostly had utilitarian objects.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Kalibangan is noted for the absence of faience pots. Harappa has yielded hoards of gold. Mohenjodaro is associated with rare miniature faience pots. Smaller settlements generally contain everyday objects such as querns and ordinary pottery. Therefore, the correct matching is 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, and 4-d, making Option C correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Gold hoards are incorrectly assigned to Kalibangan.
�� Option B → Kalibangan and Mohenjodaro are mismatched with their characteristic finds.
�� Option D → Harappa and Mohenjodaro are associated with incorrect artefacts.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Associate each settlement with its most distinctive archaeological discovery.

Final Logic:

Kalibangan–No Faience, Harappa–Gold, Mohenjodaro–Miniature Pots, Small Settlements–Ordinary Pottery.

🧠 Memory Trick

K–No Faience, H–Gold, M–Mini Pots

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Distribution of Artefacts

11 Some beads were made of _____ or more stones, cemented together, while others were stone with gold caps.

A Five

B Four

C Three

D Two

💡 Short Explanation

�� Harappan bead-making was highly sophisticated. �� Artisans combined multiple materials. �� Some beads consisted of two or more stones joined together.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Harappan craftsmen produced highly specialized beads using advanced techniques. Some beads were created by cementing together two or more stones, while others were made from stone and fitted with gold caps. This reflects technological skill and aesthetic sophistication. Therefore, Option D is correct, while the higher numbers are not mentioned in the archaeological evidence.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Five stones is not the minimum number described in NCERT evidence.
�� Option B → Four stones may occur in complex objects, but the reference is to two or more stones.
�� Option C → Three stones is also incorrect because the text specifies two or more stones.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Recall the exact wording used for composite bead construction.

Final Logic:

The archaeological description states "two or more stones."

🧠 Memory Trick

Beads = Two Stones + Skill

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Bead Making Techniques

12 Which of the following is true regarding shell working in the Harappan civilization?

A Finished shell products like bangles and ladles from coastal centres were taken to other settlements.

B Shell working was exclusively done at Kalibangan.

C Shells were only used for making weapons.

D Mohenjodaro was the primary extraction site for whole shells.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Shell-working centres were located near coasts. �� Finished products were widely distributed. �� Bangles and ladles were common shell objects.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Shell-working was concentrated at coastal centres such as Nageshwar and Balakot, where raw shells were obtained and processed into finished products like bangles and ladles. These goods were then transported to inland settlements. Therefore Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D contradict archaeological evidence regarding shell production and distribution.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Shell working was not restricted to Kalibangan and was mainly associated with coastal sites.
�� Option C → Shells were used for ornaments and utensils, not only weapons.
�� Option D → Mohenjodaro was not a shell extraction centre.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Remove options containing absolute or factually incorrect claims.

Final Logic:

Shell products moved from coastal production centres to other settlements.

🧠 Memory Trick

Coast → Shell → Inland

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Shell Working

13 Assertion (A): Harappan artisans used steatite powder to mould beads into a variety of shapes.
Reason (R): Steatite is an extremely hard stone that can only be chipped, not moulded.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Steatite powder was used in bead production. �� It could be moulded into different shapes. �� The reason incorrectly describes steatite.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Harappan craftsmen used steatite powder to create beads of various shapes. Steatite is relatively soft and workable, making it suitable for moulding and shaping. Therefore the Assertion is true. The Reason is false because steatite is not an extremely hard stone that can only be chipped. Hence Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → The Reason is false and therefore cannot explain the Assertion.
�� Option B → Both statements are not true because the Reason is incorrect.
�� Option D → The Assertion is supported by archaeological evidence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Assess the truth of the Assertion and Reason separately.

Final Logic:

Assertion true; Reason false.

🧠 Memory Trick

Steatite = Soft, Shapeable

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Materials Used in Craft Production

14 Identify the incorrect statement regarding the materials used by Harappan craftsmen.

A Faience is made of ground sand or silica mixed with colour and a gum and then fired.

B Terracotta and burnt clay were strictly reserved for luxury goods.

C Bronze and copper were utilized in crafting beads.

D Spindle whorls were sometimes made of rare materials like faience.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Terracotta was commonly used. �� Luxury goods used special materials. �� Burnt clay was not reserved for elites alone.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Terracotta and burnt clay were widely used for everyday objects and were not restricted to luxury goods. Faience was produced from silica, colour, and gum before firing. Copper and bronze were used in bead production, and spindle whorls were occasionally made from rare materials such as faience. Therefore, Option B is incorrect.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Correctly describes the composition and manufacture of faience.
�� Option C → Copper and bronze were indeed used in Harappan craft production.
�� Option D → Archaeological evidence confirms some spindle whorls were made of faience.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

Watch for words such as "strictly reserved," which often indicate incorrect overgeneralization.

Final Logic:

Terracotta was widely used, not exclusively luxury-oriented.

🧠 Memory Trick

Terracotta = Everyday, Not Elite

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Craft Materials

15 Grinding, polishing, and _____ completed the process of making carnelian beads.

A Drilling

B Melting

C Painting

D Smelting

💡 Short Explanation

�� Carnelian bead production involved multiple stages. �� Surface finishing improved appearance. �� Drilling created holes for stringing beads.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The manufacture of carnelian beads involved grinding, polishing, and drilling. Drilling was essential because it enabled beads to be strung into ornaments. Melting, painting, and smelting were not the final stages of bead production. Therefore, Option A correctly completes the sequence of manufacturing processes.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Carnelian beads were shaped and drilled rather than melted.
�� Option C → Painting was not the key finishing stage in bead production.
�� Option D → Smelting applies to metal extraction, not stone bead manufacture.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Recall the standard sequence used in Harappan bead-making.

Final Logic:

Grinding → Polishing → Drilling.

🧠 Memory Trick

GPD = Grind, Polish, Drill

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Carnelian Bead Manufacture

16 The red colour of carnelian was obtained through a specific technical process. What did it involve?

A Extracting red dye from local plants.

B Mixing steatite powder with red sand.

C Applying a coat of red clay before sun-drying.

D Firing the yellowish raw material and beads at various stages of production.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Carnelian required specialized treatment. �� Heating altered the stone's colour. �� Firing produced the characteristic red appearance.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Harappan bead-makers enhanced the colour of carnelian through controlled firing. The yellowish raw material and beads were heated at different stages of production, producing the deep red colour for which carnelian beads are famous. Options A, B, and C describe processes not supported by archaeological evidence. Therefore, Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → No evidence suggests plant dyes were used to colour carnelian.
�� Option B → Steatite powder was not mixed with red sand to obtain the colour.
�� Option C → Red clay coating was not the technique used for colouring carnelian.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Recall the specific technological process mentioned for carnelian production.

Final Logic:

Controlled firing produced the characteristic red colour.

🧠 Memory Trick

Carnelian Red = Fired Red

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Carnelian Bead Technology

17 Match the craft with the material utilized at Chanhudaro:

List I	List II
1. Carnelian	a. Burnt clay paste
2. Copper	b. Metal
3. Faience	c. Red stone
4. Steatite	d. Soft stone

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a

C 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d

D 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c

💡 Short Explanation

�� Carnelian is a red semi-precious stone. �� Copper is a metal. �� Faience and steatite had distinct compositions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Carnelian corresponds to a red stone, copper is a metal, faience is a fired paste made from silica-based materials, and steatite is a soft stone used extensively in craft production. Therefore, the correct matching is 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, and 4-d. Hence, Option C correctly represents the association of materials and crafts.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Carnelian is not burnt clay paste, and faience is not a red stone.
�� Option B → Copper and carnelian have been mismatched.
�� Option D → Multiple materials are assigned to incorrect categories.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Associate each material with its most distinctive physical characteristic.

Final Logic:

Carnelian–Red Stone, Copper–Metal, Faience–Paste, Steatite–Soft Stone.

🧠 Memory Trick

Red–Metal–Paste–Soft

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Craft Production at Chanhudaro

18 Assertion (A): Nageshwar and Balakot were located deep inland, far away from the sea.
Reason (R): They were specialized centres for making shell objects.

A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Nageshwar and Balakot were coastal sites. �� Shell-working flourished near shell sources. �� The Assertion contradicts geography.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Nageshwar and Balakot were located close to coastal regions rather than deep inland. Their location gave easy access to marine shells used in craft production. They are recognized as specialised centres for manufacturing shell objects such as bangles and ladles. Therefore the Assertion is false while the Reason is true, making Option D correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → The Assertion is geographically incorrect and cannot be accepted.
�� Option B → Both statements are not true because the Assertion is false.
�� Option C → The Reason is supported by archaeological evidence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Check the geographical accuracy of the Assertion and the factual accuracy of the Reason separately.

Final Logic:

Coastal location makes the Assertion false, but shell specialization remains true.

🧠 Memory Trick

Shell Centre = Sea Coast

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Shell-working Centres

19 To identify centres of craft production, archaeologists look for raw materials such as _____, whole shells, and copper ore.

A Stone nodules

B Finished beads

C Terracotta toys

D Gold hoards

💡 Short Explanation

�� Raw materials indicate manufacturing activity. �� Workshops contain unfinished resources. �� Stone nodules are evidence of production centres.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Archaeologists identify craft-production centres by discovering raw materials and manufacturing debris. Stone nodules, whole shells, and copper ore indicate that processing occurred locally. Finished products alone do not prove production at a site. Therefore, Option A is correct, while the remaining options are not primary indicators of manufacturing centres.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option B → Finished beads may have been imported from elsewhere.
�� Option C → Terracotta toys do not specifically indicate craft-production workshops.
�� Option D → Gold hoards reflect wealth rather than manufacturing activity.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify evidence directly linked to production rather than consumption.

Final Logic:

Raw materials are stronger indicators of craft activity.

🧠 Memory Trick

Raw Material = Workshop

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Identifying Craft Production Centres

20 Why do archaeologists consider waste material crucial at an excavation site?

A It indicates the dietary practices of the inhabitants.

B Traces of minuscule bits left in the work area suggest craft production was undertaken there.

C It proves that the Harappans had no proper drainage system.

D It shows that luxury goods were destroyed intentionally.

💡 Short Explanation

�� Production leaves behind waste. �� Tiny fragments reveal workshop activity. �� Archaeologists use debris as evidence.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Waste material is one of the strongest indicators of craft production because manufacturing processes leave behind small fragments, chips, and discarded material. Such remains help archaeologists identify workshop areas. Option B correctly reflects this reasoning. Options A, C, and D do not explain the archaeological significance of production waste.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

�� Option A → Waste from craft production is different from dietary remains.
�� Option C → Production debris does not provide evidence regarding drainage systems.
�� Option D → Waste material usually reflects manufacturing processes, not deliberate destruction of luxury goods.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect archaeological waste with evidence of manufacturing activity.

Final Logic:

Workshop debris directly indicates craft production.

🧠 Memory Trick

Waste = Workshop Evidence

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Bricks, Beads and Bones – Topic: Archaeological Identification of Workshops

CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Society, Economy and Craft

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