Who were The Earliest People?
The earliest people to walk on earth were called hunter-gatherers. The earliest people were always on the move from one place to another in search of food. They depended on the flora and fauna of a particular place to obtain their food. They hunted down animals, caught fish from the water bodies, collected fruits, and obtained their food from the leaves, stalks, roots, other plant produces, etc. The earliest people were highly skilled hunters as they had to keep up with the animals without many tools.
They had to be fast runners, always alert, quick and had to employ quite a lot of presence of mind to gather their food. Over time they understood the seasons when fruits ripened, which plant produces can be eaten and which could be poisonous, and many such things that were required to survive life in early times.
Why did The Hunter-Gatherers Move From Place to Place?
First, if the earliest people had stayed at one place for a longer length of time, they would have consumed all plant and animal resources of that place. Hence, they would have had to look for food elsewhere.
Second, animals migrate from one area to another, either in search of food. For example, deer and wild cattle move from one place to another searching for grass and leaves. As a result, the hunter-gatherers who fed on these animals had to follow their movements.
Third, fruits are born in different seasons. As a result, people may have travelled seasonally in quest of various plant species.
Fourth, water is required for the survival of humans, plants, and animals. Many rivers and lakes are perennial and they have water all year, but others are seasonal. During the dry seasons, people living on the banks of the seasonal water bodies would travel from one place to another in search of water. Furthermore, people may have travelled to see friends and relatives. The earliest people used to move from one place to another on foot.
How did The Earliest People Choose a Place to Reside?
The archaeological remains of the hunter-gatherers have been found in many places, most of which were found to be close to water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The early man life story has been carved out by stone tools. The hunter-gatherers tried to find places to live where quality stones could be easily found. Such places where stones were easily found, were utilized by the hunter-gatherers as factory sites. Archaeologists have found tiny chips of waste stones, bigger blocks of stones, and a few tools that might have been used and discarded by the hunter-gatherers, at the factory sites. It is believed that the earliest people might have lived at such places for longer periods of time. Such places are known as habitation-cum-factory sites.
Sites: The places where remains of the things used by the earliest people, like pots, tools, building materials, etc were found, are referred to as sites. These things were made and discarded by the hunter-gatherers, and can be found even under the earth or water.
Stone Tools Used by The Earliest People
As per the evidence found, it is most likely that the earliest people on earth used tools made of wood, stones, and bones. Of these, the stone tools are believed to have survived for the longest, as they are found in the sites where these people lived. The stone tools could have been used by the hunter-gatherers to cut meat, chop fruits and roots, scrape animal skin or hides and tree barks, etc. Some of these stone tools might have had wooden handles or handles made of bones so that they could be used as arrows or spears to hunt down the animals. Some tools of the earliest people must have been used to chop wood to gather firewood. The wood obtained from tree barks and branches were used to make huts and other tools.
How did The Hunter-Gatherers Make Stone Tools?
The stone tools found at the sites of hunter-gatherers were made by either of the below two techniques.
The first technique is called stone on stone. In this technique, the pieces of stone or pebble from which the tool was carved out were called the core. This piece of stone called the core was held in one hand, whereas, the other stone that was to be used as the hammer was to be held in the other hand. This second piece of stone was hammered into the first stone, striking off the flakes from the pebble until the desired tool shape was obtained.
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The second technique is now referred to as stone flaking. In this technique, the first piece of stone known as the core was to be placed on a firm surface. The second piece of stone was hammered to strike off the stone flakes from the core to shape it into the desired tool. The core could be a piece of bone as well.
The earliest people had discovered fire and its uses in their day-to-day life. Remains of ashes have been found at the sites. They used fire to scare off wild animals, to cook raw meat, as a source of light, and so on.
Impact of The Changes in The Environment
The climatic conditions of the earth had undergone major changes, nearly 12000 years ago. The changes favoured warmer climatic conditions, which led to the development of grasslands in several areas. This, in turn, caused the population of deer, sheep, antelope, goats, and cattle to increase, as they survived on the grasslands. Gradually, people who hunted these animals started to follow them and understand their food habits, natural habitats, and breeding seasons. Thus, they learned about cattle rearing and herding.
Also, fishing was an important source of food. During this phase of environmental change, the warm climate favoured the growth of crops like wheat, rice, barley in various parts of the world. It is believed that this climate change played a pivotal role in the early man life story. They learned about various crops, they found where these crops grew, and when they ripened. This might have triggered the thought of growing crops among the earliest people and engendered the traditional methods of agriculture. These were the ways of life in early times.
Wall paintings have been found on the walls of the caves where the early people lived. These rock paintings have been found mostly in southern Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The cave paintings exhibit the high accuracy and skill of the early people. These paintings tell us about the lifestyle of early men and women. In some paintings, men can be seen chasing or hunting animals, while in some paintings the dressing style of men and women can be observed.
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Hungsi
A number of early people’s habitats or palaeolithic sites are found in Hungsi. Many sites are found to be closer to springs. Various tools found at these sites imply that the early men used these tools for their day-to-day activities. Most of these tools can be found at the habitation-cum-factory sites. Some smaller sites inhabited by the early people suggest that tools were made there. Several tools were made of limestone that was available at the sites, locally.
Interestingly, a large number of ostrich eggshells have been found in Maharashtra, in Patne. On some ostrich eggshells, various engravings can be found, and from some eggshells, beads were also made.
Some of the most important features of human history has been covered here. Thus, various interesting things can be found on the trail of the earliest people. The archaeologists refer to the period when the earliest people lived as the Palaeolithic period. The early man life story has been traced from the archaeological evidence found at these palaeolithic sites.
FAQs on On The Trail of The Earliest People
1. Who were the earliest people as described in the NCERT Class 6 History chapter 'On the Trail of the Earliest People'?
The earliest people, who lived on the Indian subcontinent as far back as two million years ago, are described as hunter-gatherers. This name comes from the way they sourced their food: they hunted wild animals, caught fish and birds, and gathered fruits, roots, nuts, seeds, leaves, stalks, and eggs. They were nomadic, constantly moving in search of food and resources.
2. Why were the earliest people referred to as 'hunter-gatherers'?
The earliest people are called hunter-gatherers because this term accurately describes their primary method of survival and obtaining food. They did not grow crops or domesticate animals. Instead, their life revolved around two main activities:
- Hunting: They pursued and killed wild animals for meat.
- Gathering: They collected edible plant parts like fruits, berries, roots, and nuts from the forest.
This lifestyle required extensive knowledge of their environment, including animal behaviour and the seasonal availability of plants.
3. What are the key characteristics of the Palaeolithic period?
The Palaeolithic period, also known as the Old Stone Age, is the earliest period of human history. The name comes from the Greek words 'palaeo' (meaning old) and 'lithos' (meaning stone). Its key characteristics include:
- Time Span: It covers a vast period from 2 million years ago to about 12,000 years ago.
- Lifestyle: Humans lived as hunter-gatherers.
- Tools: Tools were made primarily from stone and were generally crude and unpolished.
- Sub-divisions: This period is divided into the Lower, Middle, and Upper Palaeolithic, marking gradual changes in tool technology and human evolution.
4. How did the earliest people make stone tools? Explain the techniques mentioned in the chapter.
According to the Class 6 syllabus for 2025-26, early humans used specific techniques to make stone tools. The two main techniques were:
- Stone on Stone: In this method, the pebble from which the tool was to be made (called the core) was held in one hand. Another stone, used as a hammer, was held in the other hand. The second stone was used to strike off flakes from the first, till the required shape was obtained.
- Pressure Flaking: Here, the core was placed on a firm surface. The hammer stone was used on a piece of bone or stone that was placed on the core to remove flakes. This allowed for more precise and controlled shaping of the tool.
5. What is the importance of archaeological sites like Bhimbetka and Kurnool caves in understanding early human life?
Archaeological sites like Bhimbetka (in modern Madhya Pradesh) and the Kurnool caves (in modern Andhra Pradesh) are crucial for understanding the lives of early people. They provide direct evidence of their existence and activities:
- Bhimbetka: This is a famous habitation-cum-factory site. The caves and rock shelters provided protection from the elements. Many of these caves have paintings on the walls, depicting wild animals and scenes of hunting, which tells us about their daily life and beliefs.
- Kurnool Caves: Traces of ash have been found here. This is important because it suggests that early humans had learned to use fire, which was a major milestone for cooking, warmth, and protection.
6. What was the significance of the discovery of fire for early humans?
The discovery and control of fire was a transformative event for early humans. Its importance can be understood in several ways:
- Source of Light: Fire could be used to light up dark caves, extending activity after sunset.
- Cooking Food: It allowed them to cook raw meat and plants, which made food safer to eat, easier to digest, and tastier.
- Scaring Away Animals: A fire at the mouth of a cave could keep dangerous wild animals at bay, providing safety.
- Source of Warmth: It provided warmth during cold weather, allowing humans to survive in colder climates.
7. How do historians and archaeologists know about people who lived two million years ago?
Historians and archaeologists learn about the earliest people by studying the things they left behind. Since there was no writing at the time, they rely on material remains, known as archaeological sources. These include:
- Stone Tools: The shape, material, and location of tools tell us about their technical skills, activities (like hunting or chopping wood), and where they lived.
- Bones: The bones of animals (often with cut marks) and early humans (fossils) provide information about their diet and physical characteristics.
- Cave Paintings: Art on cave walls shows what animals they hunted, how they hunted, and other aspects of their social life.
- Remains of Habitations: Evidence of shelters, ash from fires, and discarded items at sites help reconstruct their daily routines.
8. What is the difference between habitation sites and factory sites from the Palaeolithic period?
The main difference between habitation sites and factory sites lies in their primary purpose:
- Habitation Sites: These were places where people lived for extended periods. They are typically caves or rock shelters that offered protection from rain, heat, and wind. We find evidence of daily life here, such as food remains and paintings.
- Factory Sites: These were places where good quality stone was available and people came specifically to make tools. Archaeologists find many stone cores, flakes, and finished/unfinished tools at these locations, with less evidence of long-term living.
Sometimes, people lived at factory sites for longer spells, and these are known as habitation-cum-factory sites.
9. What major environmental changes occurred around 12,000 years ago, and how did this impact the lives of early people?
Around 12,000 years ago, the world's climate underwent a major shift towards relatively warmer conditions. This marked the beginning of the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age. This environmental change had a profound impact on human life:
- Growth of Grasslands: The warmer climate led to the development of vast grasslands in many areas.
- Increase in Herbivores: This, in turn, led to an increase in the number of grass-eating animals like deer, antelope, goat, sheep, and cattle.
- New Opportunities: Humans who hunted these animals followed them, learning about their food habits and breeding seasons. This knowledge eventually paved the way for herding and domesticating these animals.
- Development of Fishing: The warmer conditions also made fishing more viable in many regions.
