6.Chapter9.History.Life of the Early Man

CHAPTER – 9.History.

LIFE OF EARLY MAN
Inside Questions/Answers

Q.1.How did human life spread on earth?

Ans. We do not know the exact place of origin of the mankind. However, evidences

indicate that human species may have developed in Africa as this area has favourable

climatic conditions for the evolution of human life. It is believed that later on the human species may have wandered to Asia, Europe & America.

Q.2.How can we know about the life of early man?

Ans. We can know about the life of early man with the help of remains of objects,               fossils and the tools that have been excavated from different parts of the world by the archaeologists.

Q.3.What is Stone Age?

Ans.The period when the stone tools were used is known as Stone Age.

Q.4. What are the three main phases of Stone Age?

Ans. The three main phases are

Palaeolithic Age or Old Stone Age

Mesolithic Age or Middle Stone Age

Neolithic Age or New Stone Age

Q.5.What are fossils?

Ans.They are the remains of dead plants, animals & human beings embedded in rocks.

Q.6.What is Palaeolithic Age?

Ans. Paleo means 'old' and lithic means 'stone'. The Palaeolithic man prepared stone tools tools to defend himself from wild animals. He also used them for hunting animals,chopping meat, cutting wood and digging.

The tools were known as core and flake tools. The core tools were made from large stones by sharpening the edges. The flake tools were formed when flake (broken pieces) of stone struck off from a large piece of stone.These tools were crude and unpolished.

The man of this period was 'food hunter' and 'gatherer’ who moved from one place to another in search of food.

The greatest achievement of man during this period was when he accidentally discovered fire by rubbing two stones against each other. Fire provided him not only warmth in the cold weather but also safety from the wild animals.

Moreover, he was able to roast raw food to make it tastier and softer.

Some of the remains of this period have been found In India at Bhimbetka, Hunsgi and Kurnool.

Q7.What is Mesolithic Age?

Ans. Meso means 'middle'. Hence, this age refers to the period between Palaeolithic Age and theNeolithic Age. The tools and implements of this period improved gradually. 

Man started using horns and bones in addition to the stone tools. He learnt to fix small stones to sticks and used them to hunt animals.

The man of Mesolithic age started making huts with the branches of trees. He continued to eat a variety of seeds, berries, roots, nuts and fish as his ancestors did.

Gradually, the man became a 'food producer' and he moved close to water sources like rivers and lakes.

The beginning of agriculture took place during this period when the man learnt to drop seeds in the soil to grow plants.

He also started taming animals, like cow, goat, sheep and pig, that served his needs. It is said that dog was the first animal to be tamed by man.

The Mesolithic man protected himself from cold and rain with the skins (hides) of animals.

In India the remains of Mesolithic Period have been found in Ujjain, Jordan, Chamoli and Singapore.

Q.8.What is Neolithic Age?

 Ans. Neo means 'new'. During this period, man prepared new stone tools which were harder and stronger. He became a skilled 'tool-maker'. He started polishing and grinding his tools and weapons His weapons included stone-axe, knives, spears, harpoons, wooden bows and stone-tipped arrows. The remains of such tools have been found in different parts of the world.

The places related to the Neolithic age in India are Braham, Merger, Chiron, Dajjal Hiding, Hallux and Kiliwa.

The Neolithic man started growing grains like rice, wheat, etc. He regarded earth as his mother and worshipped it.

The Neolithic man believed in life after death. The dead were buried along with the objects, like beads, pots, tools, etc., that they used in their life. It was believed that they might need them in another life.

Q.9.How did Stone Age come to an end?

Ans. It may have been during the baking of the clay pots in kilns that man discovered that metal is produced when some ore melts.

It is believed that copper was the first metal be discovered by man. Hence, the Stone Age came to an end.

Keywords bake: to cook or strengthen by heat.

core: central part of something.

domestication: trained to live or work for humans.

flake: very thin piece.

lustre: soft glow.

SOMETHING TO KNOW

Answer these Questions:
A.Tick the correct option.

Q.1 Which continent is believed to be the origin of mankind?

Ans Africa

Q.2 When did man become a skilled tool-maker

Ans Neolithic  Age

Q.3 The tools of Paleolithic man were made up of –

Ans  Stone

Q.4 The first animal domesticated by man was –

Ans   Dog

Q.5 The early man travelled from place to place in search of 

Ans  Food

B.Fill in the blank

a.The greatest achievement of man during Paleolithic age was fire.

b. Paleo means old and lithic means stone.

c. In India, the remains of Mesolithic man have been found in the regions of Jorwa &Ujjain

d. Copper was the first metal discovered by man.

e. Neolithic man believed in life after death

C.Number the following sentences in the order in which they occurred in the life of the early man.

1.He invented fire.

2.He moved towards water sources.

3.He started using bones and horns as tools.

4.He covered his body with the skins of animals

5.He started weaving his clothes.

6.Metal Age started after the Stone Age.

7.He invented the wheel.

8.He made pots.

D.Answer the following Question in brief:-

Q.1.Mention the sources that enable us to understand the history of early man.

Ans. We can know about the life of early man with the help of sources such as - remains of objects, fossils and the tools that have been excavated from different parts of the world by the archaeologists.

Q.2.List three phases of Stone Age?

Ans.The three phases of stone age are

Paleolithic Age or Old Stone Age

Mesolithic Age or Middle Stone Age

Neolithic Age or New Stone Age

Q.3.How did early man obtain his food?

Ans . The man of this period was 'food hunter' and 'gatherer’ who moved from one place to another in search of food. He got his food items from jungle & hunting animals.

Q.4.State any two uses of fire in the Old Stone Age.

Ans.Fire provided him not only warmth in the cold weather but also safety from the wild animals. Moreover he was able to roast raw food to make it tastier and softer. Some of the remains of this period have been found In India at Bhimbetka, Hunsgi and Kurnool.

Q.5.What is meant by Chalcolithic Period?

Ans.The period when man started to use Copper as metal in addition with stone tools is called Chalcolithic Period.

E.Answer the following questions:-

Q.1.Describe any four major changes that took place in human life during Mesolithic age.

Ans. Meso means 'middle'. Hence, this age refers to the period between Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.

a.The tools and implements of this period improved gradually. Man started using horns and bones in addition to the stone tools.

b.He learnt to fix small stones to sticks and used them to hunt animals.

c.The man of Mesolithic age started making huts with the branches of trees.

d.He continued to eat a variety of seeds, berries, roots, nuts and fish as his ancestors did.

Q.2.What were the beliefs of Neolithic man about life?

Ans. The Neolithic man believed in life after death. The dead were buried along with the objects, like beads, pots, tools, etc., that they used in their life. It was believed that they might need them in another life.

Q.3.How did the invention of wheel help in the development of human civilization?

Ans. The most remarkable invention of Neolithic man was the invention of wheel. People used the wheel for making sledges & chariots. They also used the wheel for other activities like spinning and pottery.

Q.4. Distinguish between Paleolithic & Neolithic Age with respect to tools, occupations & inventions.

Ans. Paleolithic Age - The man of this period was "food hunter" and gatherer who moved from one place to another in search of food. The greatest achievement of man during this period was when he accidentally discovered fire by rubbing two stones against each other.

Neolithic Age - the Neolithic man started growing grains like rice wheat etc. He also learnt the art of knitting and weaving. He started weaving clothes with wool and jute. The most remarkable invention of Neolithic man was the invention of wheel. People used the wheel for making sledges and chariots they also used the wheel for other activities like spinning and pottery.

Q.5. How were the tools of Paleolithic man different from that of Mesolithic Age? 

Ans. Paleolithic Age - The paleolithic man prepared stone tools to defend himself from wild animals. He also used them for hunting animals, chopping meat, cutting wood and digging. The tools were known as core and flake tools.

Mesolithic Age - The tools and implement of this period improved gradually. Man started using horns and bones in addition to the stone tools.

Map Skill - 

On an outline political map of India, label the following four places and write the names of the present states.

(a) Bhimbetka

(b) Hunsgi

(c) Burzahom

(d) Brahmagiri