CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2:
In Chapter 2 of CBSE Class 6 Social Science History, titled From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food students learn the significant changes in early human societies as they transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming.
The chapter also highlights how the domestication of animals, such as sheep and goats played a crucial role in their shift to settled village life. This change from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming communities allowed for more stable food supplies, leading to the growth of villages and the development of complex societies. Understanding this transition helps students appreciate the origins of agriculture and its impact on human civilization.
CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 Overview
The CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food are prepared by subject experts of Physics Wallah to provide a detailed understanding of the transformation from early hunting and gathering societies to agricultural communities.
These notes explain how early humans initially relied on hunting animals and gathering wild plants for food. They then discovered farming techniques, which led to the cultivation of crops like wheat and barley and the domestication of animals such as sheep and goats.
CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 PDF Download
For a detailed understanding of
CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2
From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food you can access the detailed notes prepared by subject experts of Physics Wallah. The PDF provides an in-depth look into how early humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture, including the cultivation of key crops and the domestication of animals. To view or download the PDF click the link available below.
CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 PDF
CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food
Below we have provided CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food-
The Earliest People: Why Were They on the Move?
The earliest people in the subcontinent, known as hunter-gatherers, lived about 2 million years ago. They relied on hunting wild animals, catching fish and birds, and gathering a variety of plants for their food. These early humans were constantly on the move for several reasons.
Firstly, if they stayed in one place for too long, they would deplete the local resources, including plants and animals. They followed the movements of animals, which were their primary source of food. Seasonal changes also influenced their migration patterns, as they sought different types of plants available at various times of the year. Moreover, during dry seasons they needed to travel to find new water sources to sustain their communities.
How Do We Know About These People?
We learn about the lives of hunter-gatherers through the discoveries made by archaeologists. They have uncovered various tools and artifacts that these early people made and used. The most enduring of these are stone tools, which have survived the test of time better than others. These stone tools were crucial for cutting meat and bones, scraping tree bark and animal hides, and chopping fruits and roots. Other tools were used for chopping wood. By studying these artifacts, archaeologists can piece together how hunter-gatherers lived and what daily tasks they performed.
Choosing a Place to Live In
Early humans chose their living locations based on several important factors. They preferred to settle near sources of water, such as rivers and lakes, which were important for drinking, cooking, and fishing. They sought out areas with high-quality stone, as this material was crucial for making tools used in hunting and daily tasks. The availability of these resources significantly influenced their choice of habitation sites, ensuring their survival and efficiency in their daily activities.
Finding Out About the Fire
Traces of ash from ancient sites suggest that early humans discovered how to use fire. Fire played a crucial role in their daily lives for several reasons. It provided a source of light, making it possible to see and work after dark. It was also used to roast meat, making food tastier and easier to digest. Fire helped scare away dangerous animals, offering protection to early human communities. This discovery marked a significant advancement in their ability to survive and thrive in their environment.
A Changing Environment
Approximately 12,000 years ago, significant climatic changes led to the expansion of grasslands in many regions. This environmental shift increased the availability of grazing areas for animals that fed on grass. As a result, early humans began to focus on herding and rearing these animals, recognizing their potential for a stable food source. With the changing environment, fishing became an increasingly important activity for people, supplementing their diets and providing a new means of livelihood. These adaptations marked a significant transition in how early humans interacted with their environment.
The Beginning of Farming and Herding
With the expansion of grasslands, early humans discovered the practice of farming, learning to grow crops such as wheat, barley, and rice across different parts of the subcontinent. This shift marked the beginning of agriculture, changing how people sourced their food. They began taming animals by leaving food near their shelters, which attracted wild animals and led to the domestication of the wild ancestors of dogs. Other animals like sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs were also domesticated, as they lived in herds and fed on grass. To protect these valuable animals from wild predators, people became herders.
A New Way of Life
This new way of life required people to remain in one place for extended periods to tend to their crops. They needed to water and weed their fields, and protect their growing plants from animals and birds until the grain was ready for harvest. With the advent of farming, people also began to store surplus grain for future use. They crafted large clay pots, wove baskets, and dug pits in the ground to keep their food and seeds safe. This development marked a significant shift from their previous nomadic lifestyle to a more settled existence.
Storing Animals
Domesticated animals provided a reliable "store" of food. By keeping and breeding these animals, people ensured a steady supply of meat, milk, and other resources, which contributed to their food security and supported their settled lifestyles.
Towards a Settled Life
Archaeological discoveries reveal that early humans began to establish more permanent settlements. Evidence of huts and houses found at various sites indicates that people were starting to live in one place for extended periods. Cooking hearths discovered both inside and outside these dwellings suggest that people adapted their cooking practices based on the weather conditions.
New stone tools, known as Neolithic tools, were different from the earlier Palaeolithic tools. These Neolithic tools included polished implements with fine cutting edges, as well as mortars and pestles used for grinding grains - tools still in use today. Some tools were made from bone. Archaeologists have also unearthed various earthen pots used for both decoration and storage. This period also saw the advent of weaving, with people creating cloth from materials like cotton.
A Closer Look – Living and Dying in Mehrgarh
Mehrgarh is notable for being one of the earliest sites where people began to cultivate barley and wheat and rear sheep and goats. Excavations at Mehrgarh have revealed animal bones, indicating the significance of animal husbandry in their diet. The site also features remains of square and rectangular houses, reflecting the development of more complex living structures.
Burial practices at Mehrgarh involved interring the dead with goats, likely intended to provide sustenance in the afterlife. This practice underscores the importance of animals in both daily life and spiritual beliefs.
Important Questions and Answers of CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2
Here are the important questions and answers of Chapter 2 for Class 6 students:
Q.1. Why do we describe the people who lived in the subcontinent as early as two million years ago as hunter-gatherers?
Ans -
We describe these early people as hunter-gatherers because they survived by hunting animals and gathering wild plants for food. They didn't grow crops or keep animals like we do today. Instead, they hunted animals like deer and gathered fruits, nuts, and roots from the forest.
Q.2. Why did the hunter-gatherers move from place to place? Give reasons. In what ways are these similar to/different from the reasons for which we travel today?
Ans -
Hunter-gatherers moved from place to place for several reasons:
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They needed to find new areas with enough plants and animals to eat because they used up the resources in one spot.
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Animals they hunted also moved around, so they followed them to find food.
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They looked for different kinds of plants depending on the season.
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Sometimes, they had to find new sources of water during dry times.
Today, we travel for reasons like going on vacations, visiting friends, or finding new job opportunities. While we might travel for enjoyment or work, hunter-gatherers traveled mainly to find food and resources.
Q.3. How do we know about hunter-gatherers?
Ans -
We know about hunter-gatherers through the things they left behind. Archaeologists find tools made of stone, bone, and wood that they used for hunting and gathering. They also discover remains of the animals they hunted and the plants they gathered. These findings help us understand how they lived.
Q.4. What are the Sites?
Ans -
Sites are places where archaeologists find evidence of past human activities. For example, they might discover old homes, tools, or bones in a specific location. These sites give us clues about how people lived long ago.
Q.5. Explain about Palaeolithic.
Ans -
The Palaeolithic, or Old Stone Age, is the time in history when early humans used simple stone tools. This period started about 2.5 million years ago and lasted until around 10,000 years ago. People during the Palaeolithic period lived as hunter-gatherers, moving around to find food and using basic tools made from stone, bone, and wood. They did not yet farm or build permanent homes.
Benefits of CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 2 From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food
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Enhanced Understanding of Early Human Life
: This chapter helps students grasp the transition from hunting and gathering to farming and herding. Understanding this shift provides insight into how early human societies evolved, making it easier to answer related questions in exams.
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Foundation for Historical Context
: The notes provide a foundational understanding of how early humans adapted to their environment and developed agriculture. This knowledge is important for understanding subsequent historical developments and is often a key topic in exams.
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Improved Exam Preparation
: By covering the key points of how and why early humans changed their way of life, these notes help students prepare effectively for exams. They focus on important details such as reasons for migration, the significance of farming, and the domestication of animals.
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Clarity on Key Concepts
: The notes simplify complex concepts like the impact of climate change on early human societies and the process of domesticating animals. This clarity helps students recall and explain these concepts accurately during exams.
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Contextual Links to Other Topics
: Understanding the shift from hunting-gathering to farming provides context for other historical and social science topics. This interconnected knowledge helps students see the bigger picture and answer questions that require a broader understanding of historical changes.
