1. Where was the ancient settlement of Arikamedu located?
a) Near the Indus River
b) In present-day Puducherry
c) In Bengal
d) Near the Narmada Valley
Answer: b) In present-day Puducherry
Explanation: Arikamedu was a coastal settlement located in present-day Puducherry, where ships unloaded goods from different regions.
2. What was the primary function of Arikamedu in ancient times?
a) A religious pilgrimage center
b) A military fortress
c) A coastal trading settlement
d) A capital city
Answer: c) A coastal trading settlement
Explanation: Arikamedu was an important trading hub where goods were imported and exported between India and foreign lands.
3. What archaeological evidence suggests that Arikamedu had trade relations with Rome?
a) Inscriptions mentioning Roman emperors
b) Discovery of amphorae, Arretine Ware, and Roman coins
c) Presence of Roman-style temples
d) References in Indian epics
Answer: b) Discovery of amphorae, Arretine Ware, and Roman coins
Explanation: Roman artifacts like amphorae (wine jars), Arretine Ware (red-glazed pottery), and coins have been found in Arikamedu, proving trade links with Rome.
4. What were amphorae used for?
a) Storing spices
b) Holding liquids like wine and oil
c) Making jewelry
d) Keeping ancient manuscripts
Answer: b) Holding liquids like wine and oil
Explanation: Amphorae were tall, double-handled jars used by Romans to store and transport liquids like wine and oil.
5. What was Arretine Ware?
a) A type of Indian sculpture
b) A type of Roman red-glazed pottery
c) A metal artifact
d) A coin minted in Arikamedu
Answer: b) A type of Roman red-glazed pottery
Explanation: Arretine Ware was a fine red-glazed pottery from Italy, found at Arikamedu, indicating Roman influence.
6. What other artifacts were found at Arikamedu apart from pottery?
a) Iron tools and weapons
b) Roman lamps, glassware, and gems
c) Ancient manuscripts
d) Large stone sculptures
Answer: b) Roman lamps, glassware, and gems
Explanation: Artifacts such as Roman lamps, glassware, and gems were excavated at Arikamedu, showing its trade connections.
7. What type of pottery was produced locally in Arikamedu?
a) Terracotta pottery with Roman designs
b) Porcelain from China
c) Silver-coated pottery
d) Stone-carved pots
Answer: a) Terracotta pottery with Roman designs
Explanation: Locally made pottery in Arikamedu followed Roman designs, indicating cultural exchanges through trade.
8. What evidence suggests that Arikamedu was involved in textile production?
a) Presence of weaving machines
b) Discovery of small dyeing vats
c) Inscriptions mentioning textiles
d) Statues of weavers
Answer: b) Discovery of small dyeing vats
Explanation: Archaeologists found small tanks believed to be dyeing vats, which suggests that cloth-dyeing activities took place in Arikamedu.
9. What materials were used to make beads at Arikamedu?
a) Gold and silver
b) Semi-precious stones and glass
c) Wood and ivory
d) Bronze and iron
Answer: b) Semi-precious stones and glass
Explanation: Arikamedu was known for making beads from semi-precious stones and glass, which were likely traded.
10. What script was found on some pottery at Arikamedu?
a) Brahmi script used for writing Tamil
b) Sanskrit inscriptions
c) Greek letters
d) Harappan script
Answer: a) Brahmi script used for writing Tamil
Explanation: Some pieces of pottery at Arikamedu had inscriptions in Brahmi script, which was used to write Tamil
