Q.1 What is the primary focus of ethnoarchaeology?
Studying ancient texts
Observing contemporary societies to interpret past cultures
Excavating fossils
Analyzing chemical composition of artifacts
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeology involves studying living societies to gain insights into how material culture was used in the past.
Correct answer is: Observing contemporary societies to interpret past cultures
Q.2 Which scholar is considered a pioneer of ethnoarchaeology?
Lewis Binford
Howard Carter
Franz Boas
Mary Leakey
Explanation - Lewis Binford applied ethnoarchaeological methods to understand the behavioral processes behind material remains.
Correct answer is: Lewis Binford
Q.3 Ethnoarchaeologists often study which type of materials?
Living animals
Contemporary artifacts and tools
Meteorites
Chemical compounds in soil
Explanation - They observe current artifact use and disposal to interpret archaeological patterns.
Correct answer is: Contemporary artifacts and tools
Q.4 Which method is most commonly used in ethnoarchaeological studies?
Excavation of tombs
Participant observation and fieldwork
Carbon dating
Satellite imagery
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeologists spend time with living communities to understand their material culture in context.
Correct answer is: Participant observation and fieldwork
Q.5 Ethnoarchaeology helps archaeologists to:
Predict weather patterns in ancient times
Infer social organization from material remains
Measure the age of bones precisely
Translate ancient languages
Explanation - By observing how materials are used in contemporary societies, archaeologists can make inferences about past social structures.
Correct answer is: Infer social organization from material remains
Q.6 Which of the following is a key limitation of ethnoarchaeology?
It cannot date artifacts accurately
It ignores contemporary cultures
It is too expensive to conduct
It focuses exclusively on fossils
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeology focuses on behavioral interpretation, not chronological dating.
Correct answer is: It cannot date artifacts accurately
Q.7 Ethnoarchaeology is often linked with which archaeological approach?
Processual archaeology
Postmodern archaeology
Classical archaeology
Experimental archaeology
Explanation - Processual archaeology emphasizes understanding human behavior through material remains, aligning with ethnoarchaeological studies.
Correct answer is: Processual archaeology
Q.8 Which of the following is a common subject of ethnoarchaeological research?
Pottery production and use
Space exploration
Meteorology
DNA sequencing
Explanation - Studying contemporary pottery helps infer production techniques and cultural practices of past societies.
Correct answer is: Pottery production and use
Q.9 Ethnoarchaeology can help interpret:
Ancient architecture layouts
The symbolic meaning of artifacts
Genetic mutations in humans
Ocean currents in prehistoric times
Explanation - By observing current cultural practices, ethnoarchaeologists can infer the social and symbolic significance of artifacts.
Correct answer is: The symbolic meaning of artifacts
Q.10 What distinguishes ethnoarchaeology from traditional archaeology?
Focus on written records
Focus on living communities to understand material behavior
Focus on prehistoric geology
Focus on DNA analysis
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeology uses contemporary societies as analogs to interpret past material culture.
Correct answer is: Focus on living communities to understand material behavior
Q.11 Why is pottery a popular subject in ethnoarchaeology?
It preserves well archaeologically
It has magical properties
It is rare in ancient societies
It changes rapidly
Explanation - Pottery fragments survive in the archaeological record, making them ideal for linking contemporary use to ancient artifacts.
Correct answer is: It preserves well archaeologically
Q.12 Ethnoarchaeological studies can inform on:
Subsistence strategies
Volcanic activity
Astronomical calculations
Modern political systems
Explanation - By observing how people obtain and process food today, archaeologists can infer similar strategies in the past.
Correct answer is: Subsistence strategies
Q.13 Which of these is an example of ethnoarchaeological evidence?
Wear patterns on contemporary tools
Ancient stone inscriptions
Carbon isotopes in fossils
Underwater shipwrecks
Explanation - Studying how current tools wear down provides insight into past tool use and manufacture.
Correct answer is: Wear patterns on contemporary tools
Q.14 Ethnoarchaeologists often collaborate with:
Anthropologists
Meteorologists
Linguists only
Genetic engineers
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeology is closely linked with anthropology, particularly cultural anthropology, to understand living behaviors.
Correct answer is: Anthropologists
Q.15 How does ethnoarchaeology help in understanding settlement patterns?
By analyzing modern housing use and site layouts
By studying rock formations
By reading ancient manuscripts
By examining DNA sequences
Explanation - Contemporary spatial organization provides models for interpreting archaeological settlement patterns.
Correct answer is: By analyzing modern housing use and site layouts
Q.16 Ethnoarchaeology can aid in interpreting:
Ritual and ceremonial practices
Climate change data
Modern political campaigns
Nuclear physics experiments
Explanation - Observing contemporary rituals helps understand the symbolic functions of material culture in the past.
Correct answer is: Ritual and ceremonial practices
Q.17 Which of the following tools is least likely to be studied in ethnoarchaeology?
Stone hand axes
Metal cooking utensils
Smartphones
Pottery vessels
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeology focuses on traditional tools and material culture relevant to archaeological interpretation.
Correct answer is: Smartphones
Q.18 Ethnoarchaeology is particularly useful in:
Understanding past human behavior
Dating fossils precisely
Measuring tectonic shifts
Predicting genetic mutations
Explanation - By observing contemporary societies, ethnoarchaeologists infer patterns of past human behavior.
Correct answer is: Understanding past human behavior
Q.19 Which is a common research activity for an ethnoarchaeologist?
Recording daily activities of communities
Launching satellites
Analyzing volcanic rocks
Translating ancient Greek texts
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeologists document how communities use and discard material objects.
Correct answer is: Recording daily activities of communities
Q.20 Ethnoarchaeology contributes to:
Developing models for artifact formation processes
Creating artificial intelligence
Measuring cosmic radiation
Studying modern finance
Explanation - Observing how tools and objects are used today helps explain how archaeological artifacts were created and deposited.
Correct answer is: Developing models for artifact formation processes
Q.21 Which is a challenge faced by ethnoarchaeologists?
Modern behaviors may not exactly reflect ancient ones
Artifacts are too fragile
Climate prevents fieldwork
Lack of interest from communities
Explanation - One limitation is that contemporary analogs may differ from past behaviors, requiring cautious interpretation.
Correct answer is: Modern behaviors may not exactly reflect ancient ones
Q.22 Which type of artifact is most suitable for ethnoarchaeological study?
Frequently used domestic tools
Rare ceremonial jewels
Fossilized bones
Meteorite fragments
Explanation - Commonly used items provide the best analogs for understanding everyday life in the past.
Correct answer is: Frequently used domestic tools
Q.23 Ethnoarchaeology bridges the gap between:
Archaeology and anthropology
Physics and chemistry
Mathematics and engineering
Medicine and botany
Explanation - It combines archaeological methods with anthropological insights from living cultures.
Correct answer is: Archaeology and anthropology
Q.24 Which factor is most critical for an ethnoarchaeologist in the field?
Building rapport with local communities
Operating laboratory equipment
Studying astronomical charts
Excavating fossils
Explanation - Ethnoarchaeologists rely on observing and participating in local life, requiring trust and collaboration.
Correct answer is: Building rapport with local communities