early man

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EARLY MAN

3 Million Years Ago:

3 Million Years Ago 3 million years ago, our planet was teeming with life! There were deer, giraffes, hyenas, sheep, goats, horses, elephants, camels, beavers, cave lions, ants, termites, woolly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, giant sharks, dogs with huge teeth, and all kinds of birds and plants and fish.

Very Early Humans:

Very Early Humans It was during this time that the higher primates, including apes and early man, first appeared. There was a difference between apes and man. Early human-like hominids could stand upright. Apes could not. Their hands were different, too. Ape hands were made for climbing and clinging. Man’s hands were jointed differently, which allowed them to make and use tools.

The prehistoric time can be divided into four periods: :

The prehistoric time can be divided into four periods: Palaeolithic Age or Old Stone Age. Mesolithic Age or Middle Stone Age. Neolithic Age or New Stone Age. Chalcholithic Age or Copper and Stone Age.

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PALAEOLITHIC AGE ( 5000,000 BC – 100,000 BC) The word ‘ palaeolithic’ comes from a Greek word which means ‘ old stone’. The primitive men were basically nomads. They moved from one place to another in search of food and shelter. Men at that time lived in forests. They used to eat raw flesh of animals which they hunted and fruits of trees and root vegetables.

PALAEOLITHIC AGE ( 5000,000 BC – 100,000 BC) :

PALAEOLITHIC AGE ( 5000,000 BC – 100,000 BC) In summer they did not wear anything. In winter they used animal skins, bark of trees and leaves to keep themselves warm. They lived close to rivers so that water was available.

Early man made important discoveries: :

Early man made important discoveries: Discovery of Fire: The discovery of fire was a mere accident. The striking of two pieces of stones, which is known as ‘flint’, produced a spark, which, when it came in contact with dry leaves, burst into flames. Fire provided man with warmth and light.

Fire made life easy:

Fire made life easy From then onwards, man started eating roasted meat instead of raw flesh. They used to light a fire at the entrance of the caves in order to protect themselves from wild animals. Fire also helped men during the cold season as they wore minimum clothes.

MESOLITHIC AGE ( 10,000 – 8000 BC) :

MESOLITHIC AGE ( 10,000 – 8000 BC) This period is of shorter duration but significant changes took place during this age. Man now started making smaller, sharper and more efficient tools. Because of their size, these tools were called microliths ( micro means small, lith means stone).

New tools:

New tools The new tools included bone tools, borers, scarpers and arrowheads. The bows and arrows helped them in hunting fast moving animals. They could fish because of the hooks and the baits. It was during the end of this period that man discovered agriculture and cultivation.

NEOLITHIC AGE : NEW STONE AGE ( 8000 – 3500 BC) :

NEOLITHIC AGE : NEW STONE AGE ( 8000 – 3500 BC) In this age man learnt to make better tools and domesticated animals. This age is better known for advancement in agriculture, making of pottery and invention of the wheel .

Agriculture: :

Agriculture: Like fire, man discovered agriculture by chance. Significant changes in life of man: It changed man from a nomad into a man who stayed at one place.

Community Living:

Community Living These settlements grew into villages. Man began to produce enough grain which had to be stored and so made baskets which were plastered with mud. He now grew wheat, barley and rice.

Domestication of Animals:

Domestication of Animals Man realised the importance of domesticated animals. He used the animals as means of transport. Animals supplied man with milk. He got wool from the sheep to protect himself from the cold.

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Pottery: As man began to get milk, vessels were needed to store them. These pots were given different shapes and dried in the sun. The pots were then baked in an oven to make them harder. Some pots were decorated with various designs of animal figures on them.

The Invention of the Wheel: :

The Invention of the Wheel: The invention of the wheel brought many changes in the life of man. It made transportation easier and faster. The invention of the wheel was put to great use by the potters. The wheel was also used for spinning and weaving.

Social Life: :

Social Life: After agriculture became known to them, they settled down and villages developed. The eldest or the strongest man of the clan was chosen as the village headman. He had the responsibility of protecting the entire clan from outside invaders.

Religion:

Religion Man started to fear the natural forces as they could not understand the mysteries of nature. They prayed to the forces of nature. They buried the dead and kept pots, weapons etc which they believed would be required in the other world.

CHALCHOLITHIC AGE ( 3500—2000 BC) :

CHALCHOLITHIC AGE ( 3500—2000 BC) The word ‘ chalcholithic’ means copper and stone. In this age man used both stone and copper for making tools. Copper was the first metal to be discovered by man. He realised that it was much stronger than stone. Copper began to be mixed with other metals to form alloys.