NCERT Class 9 Social Science Understanding Society India and Beyond Part 1 Chapter 04 Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation PDF Download

Chapter 4: Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation

The Big Questions

1. How did humans live on Earth before the beginning of civilisation?
2. How did humans communicate before writing was invented?
3. How is archaeology helpful in understanding our past?
4. How did early civilisations interact with each other?

In previous grades, we have studied the history of various kingdoms and empires, and also learned about the Sindhu-Sarasvati civilisation. However, the history of humanity goes back much further. In this chapter, we will explore who our earliest ancestors were, when and where they evolved, what kinds of food they ate, how they lived, and how they became what we are today.

The period before the development of writing is understood mainly through archaeological evidence, as written languages emerged at different times in different parts of the world.

One of the earliest known writing systems is associated with the Sindhu-Sarasvati, also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation or the Harappan Civilisation. Writings and engravings found on objects such as seals and pottery, indicate that the Harappans used a pictographic script for writing. However, it has not yet been deciphered. As a result, we still do not understand the Harappan script, also referred to as Sindhu lipi.

Other early writing systems include the cuneiform script of the Sumerians in Mesopotamia and the hieroglyphic script of ancient Egypt, both of which flourished around the same time as the Harappan Civilisation. Unlike the Harappan script, these scripts have been deciphered and mark the beginning of the historical period, about 5000 years ago. You will learn more about them later in the chapter.

Let's Explore

You have studied about the Harappan script in your previous grades. Observe this seal carefully and discuss why the script has not yet been deciphered. Also, find out what efforts have been made to decipher it. You can use your textbook, consult your teacher, or refer to online sources.

[Figure 4.1: Harappan script on a seal, See in your textbook]

From about 400 BCE, a script known as Brahmi was used in parts of southern India and in the Ganga Valley (northern India). It was later formalised by the Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) and contemporary Iron Age people all over southern India. You will learn more about the journey of scripts in higher grades.

[Figure 4.2: Brahmi inscription on a railing around the stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, See in your textbook]

The Invention of Writing: Before and After

Why Should We Study Early Human History?

The study of early human history helps us understand the long process of humankind's biological and cultural evolution in relation to changes in climate and the environment.

Biological evolution refers to the gradual physical and genetic changes through which our early ancestors, known as australopithecines (australis means southern and pithecus is primates), evolved into modern human beings, called Homo sapiens.

Cultural evolution explains how humans adapted to their surroundings during the Quaternary Period (the last 26 lakh years, including the present). To survive the changing climatic and

Teacher's Note

The word "lakh" means 100,000. So 26 lakh years is 2.6 million years. When you see this unit in your exam answers, write it out clearly: if the question asks for the time span in years, convert it properly (26 lakh = 2,600,000). This helps you avoid careless arithmetic mistakes.

[Figure 4.3: The Invention of Writing: Before and After (table comparing human history periods, sources for reconstruction, lives of people, and measurement of time), See in your textbook]

Teacher's Note

Notice that the table divides human history into two unequal parts: the prehistoric period (more than 99 per cent) before writing, and the historical period (less than 1 per cent) after writing. In exam questions about "prehistoric" versus "historic" times, remember that the key difference is whether we have written records. This distinction will appear again as you study different civilisations.

Key Points

• Human history stretches back millions of years, but more than 99 per cent of it occurred before writing was invented, about 5000 years ago.
• Biological evolution describes how our early ancestors, the australopithecines, gradually changed physically and genetically to become modern humans (Homo sapiens).
• Cultural evolution is how humans learned to adapt to their environment and climate changes, especially during the Quaternary Period.
• Before writing, archaeologists study early humans mainly through artefacts like tools and pottery; after writing, we also have written documents that give us exact dates and names of events.
• The Harappan script, found on seals and pottery in the Indus Valley Civilisation, has not yet been deciphered, unlike the cuneiform script of Mesopotamia and the hieroglyphic script of Egypt.

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