UPSC EXAM QUIZ 17.08.2024

Explanation:

• Archaeologists at Göbekli Tepe in southern Turkey have discovered what is thought to be the Earth’s oldest known Sun-and-Moon calendar, carved into a large stone pillar.
• This discovery, reported in a study on July 24, offers new insights into the development of early timekeeping methods.

Key Discovery

• The pillar, estimated to be nearly 13,000 years old, is adorned with 365 V-shaped symbols, each likely representing a single day.
• This design reflects an advanced understanding of both solar and lunar cycles.
• The calendar includes 12 lunar months plus an additional 11 days, indicating that ancient societies had a sophisticated grasp of time.

Explanation:

• Maharashtra government has officially designated the geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as protected monuments under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.
• This decision responds to growing concerns about preserving these important cultural artifacts.

Significance of Geoglyphs and Petroglyphs

• Geoglyphs and petroglyphs are ancient forms of art from the Mesolithic era, featuring various animal figures and footprints. These artworks offer valuable insights into prehistoric life and human creativity.
• Location and Scope: In Ratnagiri, over 1,500 such artworks are found at around 70 sites, covering a protected area of 210 square meters. Seven of these sites are even on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list.
• Characteristics of Petroglyphs: The petroglyphs in Deud, dating back 20,000 to 10,000 years, depict animals like rhinos, deer, and monkeys, reflecting the artistic abilities of early humans.

Explanation:

• Entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in Bengaluru have recently identified three new species of edible bugs that are traditionally eaten by indigenous communities in North-East India.
• This discovery underscores the importance of documenting and preserving traditional knowledge about edible insects, as many such species are still not well-documented despite their role as important food sources.

Significance of the Findings

• The research has catalogued over 500 species of edible insects, highlighting their cultural and nutritional significance in local diets.
• The identification of these new species points to a growing recognition of entomophagy (the practice of eating insects) and its potential for sustainable food production.

Explanation:

• DRDO conducted a successful maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), named GAURAV.
• The test was carried out from an Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.

Key Features of GAURAV

• GAURAV is a1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb capable of striking targets at long distances.
• The bomb uses a hybrid navigation system, combining INS and GPS data, to steer towards the target with high accuracy.

Indigenous Development

• GAURAV was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.
• The project involved collaboration with Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, serving as Development cum Production Partners.

Explanation:

• T.V. Somanathan, a 1987-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Cabinet Secretary of India by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet.
• Somanathan will replace Rajiv Gauba, who is the country's longest-serving Cabinet Secretary and had received a one-year extension last year.
• Somanathan will assume office on August 30 and serve a two-year tenure. He will first discharge duties as Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat until he formally takes over as Cabinet Secretary.