Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Archaeologists unearthed a 7000-year-old prehistoric settlement near the Tamiš River in northeastern Serbia. Spanning 11-13 hectares and encircled by 4-6 ditches, it dates to the late Neolithic era. Geophysical techniques uncovered Vinča culture artifacts, highlighting their presence in southeastern-central Europe. This discovery is pivotal, shedding light on the sparse identification of larger Late Neolithic settlements in the Serbian Banat region.

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Archaeologists have discovered the first evidence of rock art in Mangaluru city in the form of a pair of human footprints on a natural stone boulder near the Boloor Panne Koteda Babbu Swamy shrine. The footprints may have been created in the first or second century A.D.

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A portion of Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka, specifically the ‘saalu mantap’ pavilion, collapsed due to torrential rains. Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom. It showcases Dravida temple architecture with grand gopuras, Vimana, intricate carvings, and pillared halls.

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The Archaeological Survey of India confirms Neolithic rock carvings in Goa’s Mauxi village. Carvings on meta basalt rock along the dry Zarme riverbed depict animals like zebus, bulls, and antelopes, as well as footprints and cupules. In India, prehistoric rock paintings span from the Upper Palaeolithic, featuring animal figures, to the Mesolithic, with human scenes, and the Neolithic-Chalcolithic, showing pottery and metal tools.

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Recently, Purana Qila was handed over to the Sabhyata Foundation of the Dalmia Group under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme by the Ministry of Tourism. Located in New Delhi, it’s one of the oldest forts built on the banks of the Yamuna River, also known as Qila-e-Kohna. Built under Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, it reflects a blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. The rectangular fort boasts three gates, notably the Bara Darwaza, combining Islamic and Hindu elements.

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A recently discovered sarcophagus fragment beneath a religious center’s floor is identified as belonging to Ramesses II, a prominent ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Sarcophagi, highly decorated coffins, date back to ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Typically made of stone, they vary in design and are adorned with carvings and inscriptions. Sarcophagi offer valuable insights into ancient societies’ art, culture, and beliefs, making them significant artifacts for archaeologists and historians.

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The President of India attended the Raja Parb celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the first time. Raja Parb, an agriculture-based festival from Odisha, is celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly by women and children, during the onset of monsoons. The three-day-long festival is one of Odisha’s most significant celebrations.

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A hidden chamber was recently discovered beneath the inner layers of Ghodbunder Fort during restoration work. Ghodbunder Fort, located in Thane, Maharashtra, on the Ulhas River, was built by the Portuguese and completed in 1730. Initially used for horse trading, it was later occupied by the Marathas and the British. The fort features a Portuguese church from the early 16th century and various historical structures.

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Mudgal Fort in Karnataka showcases India’s rich historical and cultural heritage, reflecting its architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The fort has a 1,000-year history, linked to the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Bahmani Sultans, and Vijayanagara Empire. It became a strategic battleground between the Vijayanagara Empire and Adil Shahi Sultanate, witnessing 11 battles due to its pivotal location in the fertile, mineral-rich Raichur Doab between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers.

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Devotees nationwide are gathering at Assam’s Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati for the annual Ambubachi Mela. The Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s 51 Shaktipeeths, is located atop Nilachal Hills and is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Goddess Parvati. The Ambubachi Mela celebrates the goddess’s annual menstruation. The temple’s architecture uniquely combines the traditional Nagara and Mughal styles, known as the Nilachala Style.