Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Question and Answer
Notes of Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation
Human history began long before kingdoms, empires, and civilizations. The earliest human history is mainly understood through archaeological evidence.
The period before the invention of writing is called Prehistory. Writing systems developed at different times in different parts of the world. One of the earliest writing systems belonged to the Sindhu–Sarasvatī (Harappan) Civilization.
The Sindhu–Sarasvatī Civilization is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization or the Harappan Civilization.
The Harappans used a pictographic script for writing. Harappan writings have been found on seals and pottery. The Harappan script is also called the Sindhu Lipi. The Harappan script has not yet been deciphered. Because it remains undeciphered, we still do not understand the Harappan language.
The Sumerians of Mesopotamia used the Cuneiform script. Ancient Egyptians used the Hieroglyphic script. The Sumerian and Egyptian scripts flourished around the same time as the Harappan Civilization.
Notes of Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation
The Cuneiform and Hieroglyphic scripts have been successfully deciphered. The beginning of the historical period is marked by deciphered writing systems about 5,000 years ago.
Archaeological evidence helps us understand how early humans lived, what they ate, and how they evolved. The Brahmi script was used from around 400 BCE in the Ganga Valley and parts of southern India.
Emperor Ashoka formalized the Brahmi script during the 3rd century BCE. Brahmi was also used by Iron Age people across southern India.
The study of early human history explains the biological and cultural evolution of humans. Biological evolution refers to the gradual physical and genetic changes in humans.
Early human ancestors were known as Australopithecines. Australis means southern, and pithecus means primates. Modern humans are called Homo sapiens.
Cultural evolution explains how humans adapted to changing environments. The Quaternary Period covers the last 26 lakh (2.6 million) years, including the present.
Notes of Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation
Climate and environmental changes influenced human evolution and survival. More than 99% of human history belongs to the prehistory period.Less than 1% of human history belongs to the historical period (the last 5,000 years).
Prehistory extends from about 3 million years ago to 5,000 years ago. The historical period began about 5,000 years ago and continues today.
Archaeological remains are the main source for studying prehistoric life. Human-made objects used as evidence are called artefacts. Artefacts include tools, implements, and other material objects.
Written documents are important sources for reconstructing historical societies. It is difficult to know the thoughts and beliefs of prehistoric people.
Literature provides information about names, events, and social, political, and cultural life. Dating prehistoric events is approximate because there are no written records.
Historical dates are more accurate because written records mention specific events such as coronations and wars. Early humans developed tools, techniques, and technology to survive changing climates and environments.
Humans used natural resources to meet their basic needs. Human life gradually changed from hunting and gathering to agriculture and food production.
Notes of Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation
Agriculture enabled humans to produce surplus food. Surplus food and material goods laid the foundation of civilisation.
The earliest human ancestors are believed to have evolved in Africa. Early humans began migrating out of Africa about 2 million years ago.
Homo erectus was the first hominin to migrate out of Africa. Homo erectus used stone tools such as hand axes and cleavers.
Stone tools of Homo erectus have been found in Asia and Europe. The discovery of these tools shows their African origin and later spread to other continents.
Homo erectus dispersed beyond Africa between 2 million and 0.5 million years ago. Another major migration out of Africa occurred around 125,000 years ago.
This later migration involved early Homo sapiens (modern humans). Homo sapiens evolved in Africa about 300,000 years ago.
Today, Homo sapiens are distributed across all parts of the world. Archaeologists study early human sites to learn about our ancestors.
Tools, bones, and other objects provide clues about early human life. Archaeologists recreate and use ancient tools to understand their purpose.
Notes of Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation
Experimental archaeology helps explain how early humans made and used tools. The earliest human settlements were found in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
These regions together are called the Old World. Different types of human ancestors lived together in the Old World.
The earliest known stone tools were made about 3.3 million years ago. Making stone tools marked the beginning of human behavior.
Humans are called hominins because they were tool makers.
Stone tools acted as extra-corporal limbs, extending the abilities of human hands.
Early humans made, used, and discarded their tools after use. Discarded tools became buried under layers of earth over time.
Archaeologists discover buried tools to reconstruct human history. The buried remains of ancient humans gradually turned into fossils.
Fossils are preserved remains or traces of plants, animals, or humans from the distant past. Fossils form over thousands or millions of years under layers of earth.
Tools and fossils are the main sources of evidence about early humans. Homo habilis means “Handy Man.”
Homo habilis lived mainly in Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) and Kenya.
Homo erectus invented hand axes and cleavers. Homo erectus was among the first human ancestors to migrate out of Africa. Homo erectus gradually spread into Europe and Asia. All human ancestors were tool makers.
Homo sapiens developed the most complex technologies among early humans. The Old World refers to the geographical region of the oldest human settlements during the earliest Palaeolithic period.
NCERT Questions and Answer
Q. How did humans live on Earth before the beginning of civilisation?
Ans – Before the beginning of civilisation, humans lived a simple life that depended completely on nature.
a) Humans lived as hunters and gatherers, hunting wild animals and collecting fruits, roots, and nuts.
b) They led a nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of food, water, and shelter.
c) They lived in caves, rock shelters, or temporary huts made from natural materials.
d) They used simple tools made of stone, wood, and bone for hunting, cutting, and protection.
e) They learned to control fire, which helped them cook food, keep warm, and protect themselves from wild animals.
Thus, before civilisation, humans lived a simple and challenging life. Over time, they learned farming, settled in villages, and gradually developed organised societies, which marked the beginning of civilisation.
Q. How did humans communicate before writing was invented?
Ans – Before the invention of writing, humans communicated through simple methods. They used spoken language, gestures, sounds, and pictures to share ideas, feelings, and information with others.
Q. How is archaeology helpful in understanding our past?
Ans – Archaeology is the scientific study of the past through the remains left by ancient people.
a) Archaeology helps us study ancient civilizations through their remains and artefacts.
b) Archaeologists discover tools, pottery, which provide information about people’s daily lives.
c) It helps us understand the culture, practices of ancient societies.
d) Excavations reveal the houses, buildings, roads, and cities built by early humans.
Thus, archaeology plays a vital role in understanding our past. It provides valuable evidence about ancient human life and helps us reconstruct the history of civilizations accurately.
Q. How did early civilisations interact with each other?
Ans – Early civilisations did not live in isolation. They interacted with one another through trade, travel, and cultural exchange, which helped in the spread of ideas, goods, and technology.
a) Early civilizations traded goods such as metals, spices, pottery, textiles, and precious stones.
b) They used land routes and river or sea routes to travel and carry out trade.
c)People exchanged ideas, knowledge, and technologies, improving farming, crafts, and construction.
d) Different civilisations influenced each other’s art, architecture, language, and religious beliefs.
Thus, early civilisations interacted through trade, travel, cultural exchange, and political relations.