Question 1.
Look at the diagram showing the positive feedback mechanism on page 13. Can you list the inputs that went into tool making? What were the processes that were strengthened by tool-making?
Answer:
After going through the positive feedback mechanism following points can be inferred:
(a) Inputs that helped in tool making:
Increased brain size and capacity of brain
Upright walking
Visual surveillance long distance
Walking while foraging and hunting.
(b) The processes that were strengthened by tool making:
Upright walking
Increase in size and capacity of brain
Visual surveillance, long distance walking while foraging and hunting.
Question 2.
Humans and mammals such as monkeys and apes have certain similarities in behaviour and anatomy. This indicates that humans have possibly evolved from the . apes. List these resemblances in two columns under the headings of
(a) behaviour and
(b) anatomy.
Are there any differences that are noteworthy?
Answer:
Similarities
(a) Behaviour:
Humans
Monkeys and Apes
1. Humans can climb on trees.
Monkeys and apes can also climb on trees.
2. Mothers give birth to their young ones.
Monkeys also give birth to their young ones.
3. They can walk long distances.
They can also walk long distances.
(b) Anatomy:
Humans
Monkeys and Apes
1. Humans are vertebrates.
1. They are also vertebrates.
2. Humans have two feet and two hands.
2. Monkeys and apes are also quadrupeds.
Question 3.
Discuss the arguments advanced in favor of the regional continuity model of human origins. Do you think it provides a convincing explanation of the archaeological evidence? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
According to the Regional Continuity Model, the Homo sapiens evolved in different regions at different rates into modern humans. So there was a variation in the first appearance of modern humans in different parts of the world. It was based on the regional differences in the features of present day humans. The advocates of this view found that the dissimilarities are due to the differences between the Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis populations of the same regions.
The Regional Continuity Model does not give a convincing explanation of the archaeological evidence.
Question 4.
Which of the following do you think is best documented in the archaeological record: (a) gathering, (b) tool making and (c) use of fire?
Answer:
Tool making is documented in the archaeological record.
Question 5.
Discuss the extent to which: (a) hunting and (b) constructing shelters would have been facilitated by the use of language. What other modes of communication could have been used for these activities?
Answer:
(a) Use of language helped hunting activities of human beings in numerous ways:
Now people are in a position of organizing and managing hunting expeditions
They are now free to exchange their ideas about different animals in different regions.
They could now discuss the nature and behavior of animals.
They could now discuss regarding the types of tools to be used.
(b) Language helped in constructing shelters for early humans in the following ways:
Now people could discuss regarding secure and safe places for the construction of shelters.
Now people could gather information about the materials used in the construction of shelter.
Information regarding resources in and around their surroundings can be easily obtained.
They were now in a position to discuss the means to protect their shelters in severe conditions.
Other modes: Signs, symbols, cave paintings, engraving on walls and on the ceilings of caves were the other modes of communication used for various activities
Question 6.
Choose any two developments each from Timelines 1 and 2 at the end of the chapter and indicate why these are significant.
Timeline 1 (mya)
36-24 mya
Primates; Monkeys in Asia and Africa
24 mya
(Superfamily) Hominoids; Gibbons, Asian orang-utan and African apes (gorilla, chimpanzee and bonobo or ‘pygmy’ chimpanzee)
6.4 mya
Branching out of hominoids and hominids
5.6 mya
Australopithecus
2.6-2.5 mya
Earliest stone tools
2.5-2.0 mya
Cooling and drying of Africa, resulting in decrease in woodlands and increase in grassland
2.5-2.0 mya
Homo
2.2 mya
Homo habilis
1.8 mya
Homo erectus
1.3 mya
Extinction of Australopithecus
0.8 mya
‘Archaic’ sapiens, Homo heidelbergensis
0.19-0.16 mya
Homo sapiens (Modern humans)
Timeline 2 (years ago)
Earliest evidence of burials
300,000
Extinction of Homo erectus
200,000
Development of voice box
200,000
Archaic Homo sapiens skull in the Narmada valley, India
200,000
130,000
Emergence of modern humans
195,000
160,000
Emergence of Neanderthals
130,000
Earliest evidence of hearths
125,000
Extinction of Neanderthals
35,000
Earliest evidence of figurines made of fired clay
27,000
Invention of sewing needles
21,000
Answer:
Developments from Timeline-1
The evidence of the first Hominids was found about 5.6 mya. The Hominids evolved from Hominoids. They had some common features. Hominids had larger brain than Hominoids. Hominids had an upright posture and bipedal locomotion. There was a marked difference in regard to hand. It helped them in use of tools.
Around 2.5 mya, large parts of the earth were covered with snow. There were major changes in the environment. It led to expansion of grassland.
Developments from Timeline-2
Around 200,000 years ago, the evolution of the voice box took place. After the evolution of voice box, now the man was about to speak and express his views.
About 27,000 years ago, the earliest evidence of figurines made of fired clay was also found. The invention of sewing machines made the life of people more comfortable.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Which sources enable us to understand the history of early humans?
Answer:
The sources which enable us understand the history of early humans are stone tools, fossils, etc.
Question 2.
What do you know about Carl Fuhlrott?
Answer:
Carl Fuhlrott was a teacher and natural historian in Germany, Dusseldorf. He was handed over a skull and some skeletal fragments of early humans by workmen who were engaged in quarrying for limestone in the Neander valley region in August 1856.
Question 3.
Name the book published by Charles Darwin. When was it published and what did he argue in it?
Answer:
The book published by Charles Darwin was ‘ On the Origin of Species’. It was published on 24 November, 1859. In it, he argued about the evolution of mankind.
Question 4.
Define ‘Fossils’.
Answer:
The word ‘Fossils’ is used to describe the remains of very old plants, human beings or animals which have left their marks on the rock. These remains are preserved for many years.
Question 5.
What are the two differences between Hominids and Hominoids?
Answer:
The differences between Hominids and Hominoids are as follows:
Hominoids have a smaller brain as compared to Hominids.
Hominids have an upright posture and bipedal locomotion while Hominoids are quadrupeds.
Question 6.
Write any two evidences that Hominoids have African origin.
Answer:
Evidences which suggest that Hominoids have African origin are:
A group of African apes is closely related to Hominoids.
Early Hominoids have been found in East Africa dated back to 5.6 mya.
Question 7.
To which family does Hominids belong to?
Answer:
Hominids belong to Hominidae family. This family belongs to all forms of human beings existing on the earth.
Question 8.
Describe in brief the distinctive features of Hominids.
Answer:
The distinctive features of Hominids are as follows:
They have large brain size.
They have bipedal locomotions and upright posture.
Question 9.
How will you differentiate Hominoids from monkeys?
Answer:
Hominoids are different from monkeys in following ways:
Hominoids have a larger body.
They do not have tails like monkeys.
There is a longer period of development and dependency amongst Hominoids.
Question 10.
What are ‘Genus’? Name two important genus of Hominids.
Answer:
Hominids are divided into different branches. They are known as genus. Two different genus of Hominids are Australopithecus and Homo.
Question 11.
Define ‘Species’. How human species are differentiated from each other?
Answer:
The term ‘Species’ is used to describe the group of organisms that can produce fertile offsprings. Human species are differentiated from each other on the basis of the structure of their bones.
Question 12.
When did glaciation phase come into being? What were its impact?
Answer:
The glaciation phase is literally known as Ice Age. It came into being around 2.5 mya.
Impact:
Temperature started decreasing.
Grassland began to expand at the cost of forests.
Question 13.
How have the fossils of human species been classified?
Answer:
The fossils of human species have been classified by the scientists into three categories. These are:
Homo habilis
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens.
Question 14.
Name two places where the fossils of Homo habilis have been discovered.
Answer:
The places where the fossils of Homo habilis have been discovered are:
Omo (Ethiopia)
Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania)
Question 15.
Where were the fossils of earlier Homo erectus found?
Answer:
They were found at following sites:
Kenya
Modjokerto
Sangiran
Java
Question 16.
Give two examples where the names of the fossils are derived from. (HOTS)
Answer:
Homo heidelbergensis: The species of Homo heidelbergensis have been discovered from German city Heidelberg.
Homo neanderthalensis: Its species have been found in Neander valley, Dusseldorf, a German city.
Question 17.
The fossils of which Homo heidelbergensis have been widely distributed and where they are found? (HOTS)
Answer:
The fossils of Homo heidelbergensis have been widely distributed. They are found in different parts of Africa, Asia and Europe.
Question 18.
Write any two differences between Australopithecus and Homo.
Answer:
Australopithecus and Homo are different from each other on account of the following reasons:
Australopithecus has a smaller brain as compared to Homo.
Australopithecus has heavier jaws and larger teeth as compared to Homo who have smaller jaws and teeth.