The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Mesolithic paintings, such as those found in the rock shelters of Bhimbetka, belong to the Middle Stone Age. These artworks primarily depict the lifestyle of hunting-gathering communities using mineral-based pigments, reflecting a pre-metal society.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Mesolithic period is characterized by the use of microliths (small stone tools). The technology to smelt and forge metal had not yet been developed. Therefore, hunters are never depicted using metal swords or shields; such weaponry belongs to the much later historical periods.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The paintings illustrate a variety of hunting methods. Apart from using bows, arrows, and spears, primitive men are depicted using traps and snares to catch animals, indicating a strategic approach to hunting.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The figures in these paintings are often adorned with ornaments and headgear. Hunters are occasionally depicted wearing masks (often resembling animal heads) and elaborate headdresses, which may have served ritualistic purposes or acted as camouflage.
Key Takeaway: Mesolithic rock art depicts a Stone Age culture; therefore, elements of advanced metallurgy like swords and shields are historically anachronistic and absent from these paintings.