From Hunting-Gathering to Growing Food: Class 6 History Chapter 2 Notes

Key Terms for This Chapter

Hunter-Gatherers

People who obtain food by hunting wild animals, catching fish and birds, and gathering wild edible plants, fruits, and roots.

Site

A place where the remains of things (tools, pots, buildings etc.) were made, used, and left behind by people in the past.

Palaeolithic

The Old Stone Age, lasting from 2 million years ago to about 12,000 years ago. The name comes from Greek words 'palaeo' (old) and 'lithos' (stone).

Mesolithic

The Middle Stone Age, from about 12,000 to 10,000 years ago. It's a transitional period where environmental changes occurred.

Neolithic

The New Stone Age, which began about 10,000 years ago. This period is marked by the beginning of agriculture and settled life. 'Neo' means new.

Domestication

The process of taming wild animals and growing plants for human use. It's a gradual process that happened over thousands of years.

Microliths

Tiny, sharp stone tools, characteristic of the Mesolithic period. They were often hafted onto handles of bone or wood to make tools like saws and sickles.

Pit-houses

Shelters dug into the ground, with steps leading down. They provided protection from the cold weather. Found in sites like Burzahom (Kashmir).

Must Remember

• Early humans lived as hunter-gatherers for over 99% of human history.
• The three main periods of the Stone Age are: Palaeolithic (Old), Mesolithic (Middle), and Neolithic (New).
• Around 12,000 years ago, a major climate change made the world warmer, leading to the growth of grasslands.
• This climate shift enabled humans to begin farming (wheat, barley) and herding (sheep, goat), marking the start of the Neolithic Age.
• Mehrgarh (in present-day Pakistan) is one of the earliest known villages where evidence of farming and herding has been found.
• Neolithic tools, like polished stone axes and sickles, were more advanced and designed for agriculture.
• Pottery was invented and widely used during the Neolithic period for storing grains and liquids, and for cooking.
• Farming led to a settled life, as people had to stay in one place to tend to their crops and animals.
• Burzahom (in present-day Kashmir) is a unique Neolithic site famous for its pit-houses and evidence of domesticated dogs being buried with their masters.

The Great Transition: From Nomad to Farmer

The shift from hunting and gathering to farming and herding was one of the most important changes in human history. For millions of years, early humans lived as nomads. Their survival depended on hunting animals and gathering edible plants. This lifestyle meant they had to constantly move from one place to another, following animal migrations and seasonal plant growth. However, around 12,000 years ago, the world's climate began to get warmer. This change led to the development of vast grasslands in many areas, which in turn increased the numbers of grass-eating animals like deer, goats, and sheep. Humans who hunted these animals followed them and learned about their habits. At the same time, they observed how edible plants like wheat and barley grew from seeds that fell on the ground. Through careful observation, people began to protect these plants from birds and animals and started to sow seeds themselves. This was the beginning of farming. Similarly, they started to tame gentle animals, providing them with food and protection, which was the start of herding. This process, known as domestication, fundamentally changed their lives. They no longer needed to wander for food. They could grow their own food and raise their own animals, leading them to build permanent homes and live a settled life. This was the birth of the first villages.

Comparison of Stone Age Periods

Reading the Past: Archaeological Evidence

• {"context":"Finding at Mehrgarh:","example":"Archaeologists found the remains of square or rectangular houses with multiple compartments.","explanation":"This shows that people were living a settled life and had surplus food (grains) to store, a key feature of a farming community."}
• {"context":"Finding at Neolithic sites:","example":"Scientists have found remains of burnt grains and seeds of wheat, barley, and lentils.","explanation":"This is direct evidence that people practiced agriculture. The burning (accidental or for cooking) helped preserve them for thousands of years."}
• {"context":"Finding at Burzahom:","example":"Bones of sheep, goats, and cattle were found. Many were of young animals, and some dog bones were buried with humans.","explanation":"This suggests these animals were domesticated. It also points to a special relationship with dogs, perhaps as pets or hunting companions."}

Exam Tip

In your exam, pay close attention to maps! You might be asked to locate important archaeological sites like Bhimbetka, Mehrgarh, Burzahom, and Daojali Hading. Create a simple table to remember which site belongs to which Stone Age period and what was found there. Also, be very clear on the consequences of farming – it led to a settled life, new tools (mortars, pestles), pottery, and the first villages. This cause-and-effect relationship is a common theme for questions.

Quick Revision Check

• What are 'microliths' and which period are they associated with? Microliths are very small, sharp stone tools, often used to make saws or sickles. They are associated with the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age.
• Name two important Neolithic sites in the Indian subcontinent. Two important Neolithic sites are Mehrgarh (in present-day Pakistan) and Burzahom (in present-day Kashmir).
• List two reasons why hunter-gatherers moved from place to place. 1. They moved in search of food as plant and animal resources got exhausted in one area. 2. They followed the seasonal movement of animals and the ripening of different plants.
• What is the main difference between Palaeolithic and Neolithic tools? Palaeolithic tools were crude, heavy, and made by chipping stones. Neolithic tools were much finer, had sharp, polished edges, and were designed for specific tasks like farming (e.g., sickles and axes).

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