Keywords To Remember
- Fossils
Remains or impressions of dead plants, animals, or humans preserved in rocks. - Archaeology
The study of human history and prehistory through excavation and analysis of artifacts and fossils. - Stone Age
The prehistoric period when humans made tools primarily from stone. - Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
The earliest phase of the Stone Age characterized by crude, unpolished stone tools and hunting-gathering lifestyle. - Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)
The transitional phase between Palaeolithic and Neolithic characterized by improved tools, use of bones and horns, and early agriculture. - Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
The final phase of the Stone Age marked by polished stone tools, farming, domestication of animals, pottery, and settled life. - Core Tools
Stone tools made by sharpening the edges of large stones. - Flake Tools
Tools made from thin flakes broken off from larger stones. - Domestication
The process of taming wild animals to live and work with humans. - Polishing
The process of smoothing and shining the surface of tools to make them more effective. - Grinding
The process of crushing or rubbing something to make it finer or smoother. - Pottery
Objects made from clay that are shaped and hardened by baking. - Kiln
A special oven used for baking and hardening pottery. - Lustre
A soft, glowing shine on the surface of an object. - Chalcolithic Period
The Copper Stone Age when humans started using copper tools alongside stone tools. - Settled Life
A lifestyle where people live permanently in one place, usually because of farming. - Hunter-Gatherer
A person who survives by hunting animals and gathering wild plants. - Tool-maker
A person skilled in creating tools from stone, bone, or metal. - Fire
Discovered by early humans, it provided warmth, protection, and a way to cook food. - Excavation
The process of digging up artifacts and fossils from the ground. - Ivory
A hard, white material from the tusks of elephants, often used for carving. - Sickle
A curved tool used for cutting crops. - Harpoon
A spear-like tool used for fishing. - Spears
Long, pointed weapons used for hunting or defense. - Pit-houses
Dwellings dug partially underground used by early humans for shelter. - Chariots
Wheeled vehicles pulled by horses, used in ancient warfare and transport. - Agriculture
The practice of cultivating plants and domesticating animals for food. - Ivory Carving
The art of shaping ivory into decorative or useful objects. - Spin (Spinning)
The process of twisting fibers into thread or yarn. - Weaving
Making cloth by interlacing threads. - Metallurgy
The science and technology of metals, including their extraction and use.
Additional Useful Keywords
- Artifact
Any object made or used by humans, typically of historical or cultural interest. - Excavated
Dug out from the ground by archaeologists. - Climate
The weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period. - Evolution
Gradual development or change of living organisms over time. - Fertile Land
Land that is rich in nutrients and good for growing crops. - Nomadic
Living the life of a nomad; wandering from place to place without a permanent home. - Stone Axe
A tool with a sharpened stone head used for chopping wood or hunting. - Flint
A hard type of stone used for making tools and starting fires. - Animal Hide
Skin of an animal used by early humans for clothing and shelter.
Something To Know
A. Tick (✔ ) the correct option.
- Which continent is believed to be the origin of mankind?
(a) Asia
(b) Africa
(c) Australia
(d) North America
Answer – (b) Africa
- When did man become a skilled tool-maker?
(a) Mesolithic age
(b) Palaeolithic age
(c) Neolithic age
(d) Chalcolithic age
Answer – (c) Neolithic age
- The tools of Palaeolithic man were made up of—
(a) metal
(b) stone
(c) wood
(d) clay
Answer – (b) stone
- The first animal domesticated by man was—
(a) cow
(b) pig
(c) goat
(d) dog
Answer – (d) dog
- The early man travelled from place to place in search of—
(a) food
(b) companion
(c) leisure
(d) shelter
Answer – (a) food
B. Fill in the blanks.
- The greatest achievement of man during Palaeolithic Age was ________________.
Answer – discovery of fire.
- Palaeo means ________________ and lithic means ________________ .
Answer – old, stone
- In India, the remains of Mesolithic man have been found in the regions of ___________ and ________________ .
Answer – Ujjain and Jorwa.
- ________________ was the first metal discovered by man.
Answer – Copper
- ________________ man believed in life after death.
Answer – Neolithic
C. Number the following sentences in the order in which they occurred in the life of the early man.
- He invented fire.
- He started weaving his clothes.
- He covered his body with the skins of animals.
- Metal Age started after the Stone Age.
- He invented the wheel.
- He made pots.
- He moved towards water sources.
- He started using bones and horns as tools.
Answer –
- He invented fire.
- He covered his body with the skins of animals.
- He started using bones and horns as tools.
- He moved towards water sources.
- He made pots.
- He started weaving his clothes.
- He invented the wheel.
- Metal Age started after the Stone Age.
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
- Mention the sources that enable us to understand the history of early man.
Answer – The remains of objects, fossils, and tools excavated by archaeologists help us understand the history of early man.
- List the three phases of Stone Age.
Answer – Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic Age (New Stone Age).
- How did early man obtain his food?
Answer – Early man was a hunter and gatherer; he hunted animals and collected fruits, seeds, and roots.
- State any two uses of fire in the Old Stone Age.
Answer – Fire provided warmth and protection from wild animals, and it helped roast food to make it tastier and easier to eat.
- What is meant by Chalcolithic period?
Answer – Chalcolithic period is the Copper Stone Age when humans began using copper tools along with stone tools.
E. Answer the following questions.
- Describe any four major changes that took place in human life during Mesolithic age.
Answer – (1) Use of improved tools made of bones and horns. (2) Started making huts from tree branches. (3) Began agriculture by planting seeds. (4) Tamed animals like cows, goats, sheep, and pigs.
- What were the beliefs of Neolithic man about life?
Answer – Neolithic man believed in life after death and buried the dead with tools, pots, and beads for use in the afterlife.
- How did the invention of wheel help in the development of human civilisation?
Answer – The wheel helped in making sledges and chariots for transport and was also used in spinning and pottery, aiding trade and crafts.
- Distinguish between Paleolithic and Neolithic Age with respect to tools, occupations and inventions.
Answer – Paleolithic tools were crude and unpolished; man was a hunter-gatherer and discovered fire. Neolithic tools were polished and stronger; man was a farmer, made pottery, invented the wheel, and lived settled life.
- How were the tools of Paleolithic man different from that of Mesolithic age?
Answer – Paleolithic tools were crude stone tools like core and flake tools, while Mesolithic tools were improved, smaller, and made from bones and horns as well as stones.
Value Based Question
“Necessity is the mother of invention.”
Justify the statement with the help of examples from the life of early man.
Answer – Early man invented fire to keep warm and protect from wild animals, made better tools to hunt and cut, and developed farming and domestication to ensure steady food supply. These inventions were driven by the need to survive and improve life.
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
Answer – (a) Bhimbetka – Madhya Pradesh
(b) Hunsgi – Karnataka
(c) Burzahom – Jammu & Kashmir
(d) Brahmagiri – Karnataka
Something To Do
- Visit your school library or browse through the internet or carefully study the paintings given below and notice the similarities between the art of the early man and the tribal art today.
Answer – Early man’s paintings depicted animals and daily life, similar to tribal art today which also shows nature and cultural stories.
- Invention of wheel was no doubt one of the greatest achievements of the early man. Prepare a list of equipment or appliances to show the widespread use of wheel in various fields of our life today.
Answer – The wheel is widely used today in vehicles (cars, bicycles), pottery wheels, spinning wheels, and machinery.
- Hold a class discussion on ̶ ‘The need of storing grains in a vast country, like India, with a large population’. Suggest measures to protect food grains.
Answer – Storing grains is essential to ensure food availability throughout the year, prevent wastage, and protect from famine. Measures include proper storage facilities, pest control, and government grain reserves.
Additional Questions And Answers – 01
Fill in the blanks (with Answers)
- The Stone Age is divided into ________________, ________________, and ________________ phases.
Answer: Palaeolithic Age, Mesolithic Age, Neolithic Age - The discovery of ________________ was a turning point in the life of early man.
Answer: fire - ________________ were the first tools made by Palaeolithic man.
Answer: Core and flake tools - The ________________ age marks the beginning of agriculture and animal domestication.
Answer: Mesolithic - The ________________ man worshipped the earth as his mother.
Answer: Neolithic - Early man started living in ________________ during the Mesolithic Age.
Answer: huts made of branches - The ________________ period began when man started using copper tools.
Answer: Chalcolithic - ________________ is the study of ancient inscriptions.
Answer: Epigraphy - ________________ was used to bake clay pots to give them strength and durability.
Answer: Fire - The earliest homes of Mesolithic man were found in ________________, Kashmir.
Answer: Burzahom
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (with Answers)
- What kind of tools did Neolithic man develop?
(a) Polished and stronger stone tools
(b) Only wooden tools
(c) Metal tools exclusively
(d) No tools at all
Answer: (a) - Which of the following animals was tamed first according to early man’s history?
(a) Cow
(b) Dog
(c) Pig
(d) Goat
Answer: (b) - The invention of the wheel took place during the:
(a) Palaeolithic Age
(b) Mesolithic Age
(c) Neolithic Age
(d) Chalcolithic Age
Answer: (c) - The archaeological site of Bhimbetka is famous for:
(a) Stone tools
(b) Paintings
(c) Fossils
(d) Metal tools
Answer: (b) - Which of the following was NOT a use of fire by early man?
(a) Roasting food
(b) Making pottery
(c) Protecting from animals
(d) Providing warmth
Answer: (b)
True/False Questions (with Answers)
- The Mesolithic man was a food producer.
Answer: True - The Neolithic man lived a nomadic life.
Answer: False - The Palaeolithic man used polished stone tools.
Answer: False - The Chalcolithic period is also called the Copper Age.
Answer: True - Early man discovered fire by rubbing two bones together.
Answer: False (It was by rubbing two stones)
Short Questions and Answers
- What were the core tools used by Palaeolithic man?
Answer: Core tools were large stones with sharpened edges used for chopping and cutting. - How did Mesolithic man protect himself from cold and rain?
Answer: He used animal skins or hides as clothing. - Name two sites in India where Neolithic remains have been found.
Answer: Burzahom and Mehrgarh. - What was the significance of pottery in the Neolithic Age?
Answer: Pottery helped in storing food and water and was made durable by baking. - Why did early man move closer to rivers during the Mesolithic Age?
Answer: Because water was essential for drinking, agriculture, and animal domestication.
Competency Based Questions (Reasoning and Assertion)
Q1: Assertion (A): Neolithic tools were more advanced than Palaeolithic tools.
Reason (R): Neolithic tools were polished and used for farming.
Answer –
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)
Q2: Assertion (A): The discovery of fire was accidental.
Reason (R): Early man rubbed two stones together to produce fire.
Answer –
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)
Q3: Assertion (A): Early man moved from nomadic to settled life during the Neolithic Age.
Reason (R): Settled life began due to the development of agriculture and animal domestication.
Answer: (a)
High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions
- How did the invention of fire change the social and survival strategies of early man?
Answer: Fire allowed early man to cook food, ward off predators, and survive in colder climates, which improved nutrition and safety, enabling social gatherings and community growth. - Explain the impact of domestication of animals on the lifestyle of Mesolithic man.
Answer: Domestication provided a steady supply of food, clothing materials, and labor, reducing the need for constant migration and helping establish permanent settlements. - Discuss why the Neolithic Age is considered a significant step towards civilization.
Answer: Because of agriculture, animal domestication, settled life, invention of tools, pottery, and social organization, the Neolithic Age laid foundations for complex societies and cultures. - Compare how the use of tools evolved from Palaeolithic to Neolithic Ages and explain what it reveals about human progress.
Answer: Tools evolved from crude stones to polished and specialized implements, indicating advances in skill, cognitive abilities, and adaptation to new needs like farming and crafting.
Long Questions and Answers (40-50 words)
- Describe the main features of the Palaeolithic Age.
Answer: The Palaeolithic Age was marked by crude stone tools like core and flake tools. Early man was a food hunter and gatherer, moving frequently in search of food. The discovery of fire was a major achievement, providing warmth, safety, and the ability to cook food. - How did the lifestyle of the Mesolithic man differ from that of the Palaeolithic man?
Answer: Mesolithic man made improved tools using bones and stones, started making huts, began primitive farming, and tamed animals. Unlike the nomadic Palaeolithic man, Mesolithic man moved closer to water and began to transition from food hunting to food production. - Explain the significance of the wheel in the Neolithic Age.
Answer: The wheel revolutionized transport and craft production. It was used to make sledges and chariots, improving movement of goods and people. It also aided in spinning and pottery making, fostering trade, craft specialization, and development of civilization. - What were the major achievements of the Neolithic Age?
Answer: Neolithic man polished stone tools, cultivated crops like wheat and rice, domesticated animals, invented the wheel, made pottery, and lived settled lives. These changes led to the rise of families, villages, and religious practices. - Why is the Chalcolithic period important in human history?
Answer: The Chalcolithic period marked the beginning of metal use, especially copper, alongside stone tools. This innovation increased tool efficiency, led to technological advances, and bridged the gap between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age, fostering societal development.
Additional Questions And Answers – 02
Fill in the Blanks Questions and Answers
- The period when stone tools were used is known as the __________ Age.
Answer: Stone - The Palaeolithic Age is also called the __________ Stone Age.
Answer: Old - The greatest achievement of the Palaeolithic man was the discovery of __________.
Answer: Fire - The Mesolithic Age is referred to as the __________ Stone Age.
Answer: Middle - The Neolithic man invented the __________ for transportation and pottery.
Answer: Wheel - Fossils are the remains or impressions of dead plants, animals, and humans embedded in __________.
Answer: Rocks - The study of early man relies on remains excavated by __________.
Answer: Archaeologists - The __________ Period marks the use of copper tools alongside stone tools.
Answer: Chalcolithic - The Neolithic man started growing grains like __________ and wheat.
Answer: Rice - Pit-houses found at __________ in Kashmir were dug into the ground with steps.
Answer: Burzahom - The first animal tamed by the Mesolithic man was the __________.
Answer: Dog - The Neolithic man worshipped the __________ as his mother.
Answer: Earth - The __________ was used by Neolithic man to cut crops and grass.
Answer: Sickle - __________ tools were crude and unpolished in the Palaeolithic Age.
Answer: Stone - The discovery of __________ marked the beginning of the Metal Age.
Answer: Copper
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Answers
- Where is it believed that human species may have first developed?
a) Asia
b) Africa
c) Europe
d) America
Answer: b) Africa - What is the Stone Age divided into?
a) Two phases
b) Three phases
c) Four phases
d) Five phases
Answer: b) Three phases - What was the greatest achievement of the Palaeolithic man?
a) Invention of the wheel
b) Discovery of fire
c) Domestication of animals
d) Development of pottery
Answer: b) Discovery of fire - What type of tools were used in the Palaeolithic Age?
a) Polished stone tools
b) Core and flake tools
c) Copper tools
d) Wooden tools
Answer: b) Core and flake tools - Which animal was the first to be tamed by Mesolithic man?
a) Cow
b) Goat
c) Dog
d) Sheep
Answer: c) Dog - What was a major invention of the Neolithic Age?
a) Fire
b) Wheel
c) Metal tools
d) Inscriptions
Answer: b) Wheel - What marked the beginning of the Chalcolithic Period?
a) Use of iron
b) Use of copper
c) Use of bronze
d) Use of gold
Answer: b) Use of copper - Where in India have Palaeolithic remains been found?
a) Mehrgarh
b) Bhimbetka
c) Ujjain
d) Chandoli
Answer: b) Bhimbetka - What did the Neolithic man use to grind grains?
a) Sickle
b) Axe
c) Grinding stone
d) Harpoon
Answer: c) Grinding stone - What did the Neolithic man believe about life after death?
a) It did not exist
b) Dead were buried with objects for another life
c) Only kings were buried
d) Burials were not practiced
Answer: b) Dead were buried with objects for another life
True/False Questions and Answers
- The Stone Age is divided into three main phases.
Answer: True - Palaeolithic man was a food producer.
Answer: False (He was a food hunter and gatherer.) - The discovery of fire occurred during the Mesolithic Age.
Answer: False (It occurred during the Palaeolithic Age.) - Neolithic man started leading a settled life.
Answer: True - Mesolithic man used only stone tools.
Answer: False (He also used horns and bones.) - The wheel was invented during the Neolithic Age.
Answer: True - Fossils are remains embedded in rocks.
Answer: True - Copper was the first metal discovered by early man.
Answer: True - Palaeolithic tools were polished and smooth.
Answer: False (They were crude and unpolished.) - The Neolithic man worshipped the Earth as his mother.
Answer: True
Short Questions and Answers
- What is the Stone Age?
Answer: The Stone Age is the period when early humans used stone tools, divided into Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic phases. - What does Palaeolithic mean?
Answer: Palaeolithic means “Old Stone,” referring to the early phase of the Stone Age when crude stone tools were used. - How did Palaeolithic man use fire?
Answer: Palaeolithic man used fire for warmth, safety from animals, and to roast raw food for better taste and texture. - What are core tools?
Answer: Core tools were large stones with sharpened edges used by Palaeolithic man for hunting, cutting, and digging. - What marked the Mesolithic Age?
Answer: The Mesolithic Age was marked by improved tools, the start of agriculture, and taming animals like dogs. - Name one Neolithic site in India.
Answer: Mehrgarh - What was the significance of the wheel in the Neolithic Age?
Answer: The wheel was used for transportation, spinning, and pottery, revolutionizing daily tasks and production. - What is the Chalcolithic Period?
Answer: The Chalcolithic Period is when early man used copper tools alongside stone tools, marking the start of the Metal Age. - What did Neolithic man believe about the dead?
Answer: Neolithic man believed in life after death, burying the dead with objects like tools and beads for another life. - How did Neolithic man make pottery?
Answer: Neolithic man made hand-crafted pots, initially dried in the sun, later baked in kilns for strength and durability.
Competency-Based Questions and Answers (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Assertion: The Palaeolithic man was a food hunter and gatherer.
Reason: He moved from place to place in search of food, using crude stone tools for hunting and gathering.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: The Neolithic man led a settled life.
Reason: The cultivation of crops and domestication of animals reduced the need to constantly search for food.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason supports the assertion. - Assertion: The wheel was a significant invention of the Neolithic Age.
Reason: It facilitated transportation, spinning, and pottery, improving efficiency in daily tasks.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: Mesolithic man began agriculture.
Reason: He learned to drop seeds in soil to grow plants and tamed animals for food.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason supports the assertion. - Assertion: The Chalcolithic Period marked the transition to the Metal Age.
Reason: Early man began using copper tools alongside stone tools, revolutionizing tool-making.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion.
High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions and Answers
- Why was the discovery of fire a turning point for Palaeolithic man?
Answer: Fire provided warmth, protection from animals, and the ability to cook food, improving nutrition and safety. This allowed Palaeolithic man to survive harsh climates, enhance diet, and develop social behaviors, marking a significant step in human evolution. - How did the transition from food hunter to food producer impact Mesolithic society?
Answer: Becoming food producers allowed Mesolithic people to settle near water sources, grow crops, and tame animals. This reduced mobility, fostered stable communities, and laid the foundation for agriculture, enabling population growth and the development of early social structures. - Why was the invention of the wheel a revolutionary development in the Neolithic Age?
Answer: The wheel revolutionized transportation, enabling sledges and chariots, and improved crafts like pottery and spinning. This increased efficiency in farming, trade, and production, fostering settled communities and advancing technological and social development in Neolithic societies. - How did the Neolithic man’s belief in life after death influence burial practices?
Answer: Neolithic man’s belief in life after death led to burying the dead with tools, beads, and pots, suggesting these items were needed in the afterlife. This practice reflects their spiritual beliefs and provides archaeologists with insights into their culture and values. - Why did the use of copper tools mark the beginning of the Chalcolithic Period?
Answer: Copper tools were stronger and more durable than stone, improving efficiency in tasks like farming and crafting. Their use alongside stone tools marked a technological leap, initiating the Metal Age and accelerating the development of human societies globally.
Long Questions and Answers (40-50 Words)
- Explain the significance of fire in the Palaeolithic Age.
Answer: Fire was a major achievement in the Palaeolithic Age, providing warmth in cold weather, safety from wild animals, and the ability to cook food. This improved nutrition, taste, and survival, enabling early man to thrive in harsh environments and develop social behaviors. - How did the Mesolithic man improve upon Palaeolithic tools?
Answer: Mesolithic man enhanced tools by using horns and bones alongside stone, fixing small stones to sticks for hunting. These tools were more refined than the crude Palaeolithic core and flake tools, improving efficiency in hunting and gathering, supporting early agricultural practices. - Describe the impact of agriculture in the Neolithic Age.
Answer: Agriculture allowed Neolithic man to grow crops like rice and wheat, leading to a settled life. This reduced the need to hunt, fostered stable communities, and supported population growth, enabling the development of new skills like weaving and pottery, advancing civilization. - Why was the invention of the wheel important in the Neolithic Age?
Answer: The wheel revolutionized Neolithic life by enabling sledges and chariots for transport and aiding pottery and spinning. This increased efficiency in farming, trade, and production, fostering settled communities and laying the foundation for technological and societal advancements in early civilizations. - How did Neolithic pottery reflect advancements in technology?
Answer: Neolithic pottery progressed from sun-dried, hand-made pots to fire-baked ones, gaining strength and durability. Decorated with carvings, these pots showed improved craftsmanship. Baking in kilns likely led to the discovery of metal, marking a technological leap toward the Chalcolithic Period.