Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Extra Questions and Answers SST Chapter 4

Reviewing the Class 9 SST Extra Questions and Class 9 SST Chapter 4 Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Extra Questions and Answers before exams can boost your confidence.

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Extra Question Answer

Class 9 SST Chapter 4 Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Extra Questions

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Very Short Question Answer

Question 1.
“The invention of writing marked a turning point in human history.” Explain the statement by giving any two reasons.
Answer:
The invention of writing marked a turning point in human history because

• It enabled people to record laws, events, trade, and important historical information
• It made the dating of events more accurate and helped historians understand ancient societies.

Question 2.
“Stone tools are considered important evidence for understanding early humans.” Explain the statement with any two points.
Answer:
Stone tools are considered important evidence because

• They show how early humans hunted, gathered food, and protected themselves.
• They help archaeologists understand the technology, skills, and lifestyle of prehistoric humans.

Question 3.
What is meant by cultural evolution?
Answer:
Cultural evolution refers to the gradual development of human life through changes in technology and lifestyle. Humans developed better tools and survival techniques. They gradually adopted agriculture, animal domestication, and settled life.

Question 4
“The Neolithic Revolution changed the lifestyle of human beings.” Explain the statement with any two points.
Answer:
The Neolithic Revolution changed human life because

• People shifted from hunting and gathering to farming and animal domestication.
• Permanent settlements, pottery, and food production led to the growth of villages and civilisation.

Question 5.
Why is Mehrgarh considered an important archaeological site?
Answer:
Mehrgarh is considered an important archaeological site because it is the earliest known agricultural village in the Indian subcontinent, and it provides evidence of farming, animal domestication, granaries, and permanent settlements.

Question 6.
“Standard systems of weights and measures were essential for the Harappans.” Explain the statement with any two points.
Answer:
Standard systems of weights and measures were essential because

• They ensured fairness and accuracy in trade and commercial activities.
• They reflected the advanced planning and economic organisation of the Harappan Civilisation.

Question 7.
“River valleys played an important role in the growth of early civilisations.” Explain the statement with any two points.
Answer:
River valleys played an important role because

• They provided fertile soil and water for agriculture.
• They supported transport, trade, and the growth of permanent settlements and cities.

Question 8.
Why are cuneiform tablets considered important historical sources?
Answer:
Cuneiform tablets are valuable historical sources because they contain records of laws, trade, administration, literature, myths and religious beliefs. These written records provide historians with detailed information about the political, economic, social, and cultural life of ancient Mesopotamian civilisation.

Question 9.
“The Nile River contributed greatly to the development of Egyptian civilisation.” Explain the statement with any two points.
Answer:
The Nile River contributed greatly to Egyptian civilisation because

• Its annual floods deposited fertile soil suitable for agriculture.
• It supplied water for irrigation, transport and the growth of permanent settlements.

Question 10.
“The Chinese script is called a logographic script.” Explain the statement.
Answer:
The Chinese script is called a logographic script because

• Each character represents a complete word or meaningful unit instead of a sound.
• This writing system helped preserve Chinese history, administration, and cultural traditions for thousands of years.

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Short Question Answer

Question 1.
“Early humans gradually developed better tools to meet their changing needs.” Explain the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
Early humans gradually developed better tools to meet their changing needs in the following ways.

• During the Palaeolithic Age, they used large stone tools such as hand axes, cleavers, choppers, and scrapers for hunting animals, cutting meat, digging out tubers, and breaking bones.
• In later periods, they developed smaller microliths, bows and arrows, polished stone tools, and farming implements. These improved tools made hunting, food processing, agriculture and other daily activities more efficient.

Question 2.
Describe the main cultural developments that took place during the Palaeolithic Period.
Answer:
The Palaeolithic Period witnessed several important cultural developments.

• Early humans developed symbolic communication by making paintings on cave walls and rock shelters. They also decorated their bodies using natural pigments and created beads from stone, bone, and shells for personal ornamentation.
• They used burins to engrave designs on bones and shells and fixed microblades into handles to make stronger and more efficient tools. These developments reflected their increasing creativity and technological skills.

Question 3.
How did the Mesolithic Period differ from the Palaeolithic Period?
Answer:
The Mesolithic Period differed from the Palaeolithic Period in several ways.

Aspect	Palaeolithic Period	Mesolithic Period
Climate	Cold climate with extensive ice sheets.	Warmer climate with expanding forests and grasslands.
Tools	Large stone tools such as hand axes, cleavers and choppers were used.	Small stone tools called microliths were developed for hunting and fishing.
Food	People depended mainly on hunting wild animals and gathering fruits, roots and tubers.	People hunted small animals, caught fish, gathered wild grains, and used a wider variety of food resources.

Question 4.
Explain the importance of seals and pottery in the Early Harappan Phase.
Answer:
Seals and pottery were important features of the Early Harappan Phase in the following ways.

• Pottery was produced in different shapes and designs, reflecting regional artistic traditions and the growth of specialised crafts. It was widely used for storing, cooking, and transporting goods.
• Seals with geometric patterns and animal motifs were used for identification, administration, and trade. They also represent the earliest development of the Harappan script, which later became an important feature of the Mature Harappan Civilisation.

Question 5.
Describe the social and economic life of the Sumerians.
Answer:
The Sumerians developed a well-organised social and economic system. Society included kings, priests, merchants, craftsmen, farmers and labourers. Temples played an important role in administration, religion, agriculture and trade and were controlled by priests. Farming was the main occupation, supported by canal irrigation. Many people also worked as potters, metalworkers, textile makers and traders. Their organised economy helped the growth of prosperous city-states.

Question 6.
Explain the importance of the Rosetta Stone in the study of Egyptian civilisation.
Answer:
The importance of the Rosetta Stone in the study of Egyptian civilisation is

• It contained the same inscription written in three different scripts, including Greek, which scholars could already read. This made it possible to compare the texts.
• In 1822, Jean-François Champollion successfully deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics using the Rosetta Stone.
• As a result, historians were able to understand Egyptian records, religion, administration, and culture much better.

Question 7.
Describe the important contributions of the Chinese civilisation to the world.
Answer:
The important contributions of the Chinese civilisation to the world are

• It developed a logographic writing system, introduced paper currency, and established a civil service examination system for selecting government officials.
• The Chinese mastered bronze metallurgy, produced fine jade objects, expanded silk production through the Silk Route, and built the Great Wall of China to defend their empire. These achievements greatly influenced later civilisations.

Question 8.
“The four Bronze Age civilisations developed independently but maintained their own unique identity.” Justify the statement.
Answer:
The four Bronze Age civilisations shared common features but also developed unique identities because

• All four grew in fertile river valleys, practiced agriculture, established organised governments, and developed writing systems that supported administration and trade.
• However, each civilisation had distinct achievements. The Harappans were known for planned cities and standard weights, Mesopotamians for cuneiform writing, Egyptians for pyramids and mummification, and the Chinese for oracle bones, the Great Wall, and the Silk Route.

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Long Question Answer

Question 1.
“The journey of human beings from hunter-gatherers to settled farmers was one of the greatest transformations in history.” Explain the statement by describing the major changes that took place during this transition.
Answer:
The journey from hunter-gatherers to settled farmers brought major changes in human life in the following ways.

• Early humans gradually shifted from depending on hunting and gathering to producing food through agriculture and animal domestication. This provided a more regular and reliable food supply.
• People started living in permanent villages instead of moving from place to place. They built houses, stored surplus food and domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.
• They also developed polished stone tools, pottery, weaving and food-processing techniques. These changes encouraged population growth, division of labour and trade. Permanent settlements eventually developed into villages and laid the foundation for the rise of the earliest civilisations.

Question 2.
“Archaeological discoveries have helped historians reconstruct the story of early humans.” Explain the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
Archaeological discoveries have played a vital role in reconstructing early human history in the following ways.

• Archaeologists study stone tools, fossils, bones, pottery, ornaments, and ancient settlements to understand how early humans lived. These remains provide evidence about their food habits, occupations, technology and social life.
• Fossils help trace human evolution, while stone tools show the development of hunting, farming, and food processing. Cave paintings reveal the cultural and artistic activities of early humans.
• Archaeologists also recreate and use similar tools to understand how they were made and used. Since the prehistoric period has no written records, archaeological evidence remains the most reliable source for understanding the lives of early humans.

Question 3.
“The Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation was one of the most advanced civilisations of the ancient world.” Justify the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
The Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation was highly advanced in the following ways.

• It had well-planned cities with proper roads, drainage systems, reservoirs, granaries and organised settlements. The Harappans followed standard systems of weights and measures, showing advanced trade and administration.
• They were skilled farmers and craftsmen who produced pottery, beads, shell ornaments and copper tools. They also developed seals bearing the Harappan script.
• Their trade extended to distant regions such as Mesopotamia. Efficient water management at sites like Dholavira and the dockyard at Lothal demonstrate their remarkable engineering skills.
• These achievements reflect a well-organised and prosperous civilisation.

Question 4.
Compare the Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Chinese civilisations on the basis of their writing systems, achievements and administration.
Answer:
The comparison between Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Chinese civilisations based on their writing systems, achievements and administration is

Basis	Mesopotamian Civilisation	Egyptian Civilisation	Chinese Civilisation
Writing System	Cuneiform script written on clay tablets	Hieroglyphic script written on papyrus and monuments	Logographic script written on oracle bones and later materials
Major Achievements	Canal irrigation, wheel, sailboat and base-60 number system	Pyramids, mummification and 365-day calendar	Bronze metallurgy, Silk Route, paper currency and Great Wall of China
Administration	City-states ruled by kings and temple authorities	Pharaohs ruled with organised officials	Dynasties governed through trained officials selected by examinations

Question 5.
“Bronze Age civilisations made significant contributions that continue to influence the modern world.” Explain the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
The significant contributions of Bronze Age civilisations that continue to influence the modern world are

• They developed agriculture, organised governments, writing systems, trade networks and planned urban settlements. Their innovations improved administration and economic life.
• The Harappans introduced planned cities and standard weights, the Mesopotamians developed cuneiform writing and the base-60 system, the Egyptians built pyramids and created an accurate calendar, while the Chinese introduced paper currency, the civil service examination system and expanded silk trade.
• Many modern ideas related to administration, mathematics, architecture, writing and trade have their roots in these early civilisations, making them an important part of human history.

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Case Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow.
The Chinese civilisation flourished along the rivers, the Huang He (Yellow River) and the Yangtze. These two river valleys were also centres of early Chinese Neolithic cultures dating to around 7000 BCE. Around 2000 BCE, the introduction of copper-bronze metallurgy brought many of the Neolithic settlements, especially those in the Yellow River basin, to the threshold of the Bronze Age. However, it was only around 1500 BCE that urban centres began to emerge with the expansion of agricultural productivity and advancements in metallurgy and craft production. These events led to the rise of the first Chinese Bronze Age territorial empire. The history of China is organised into various dynasties. The Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE) and the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE) were two well-known dynasties of the Bronze Age. By 600 BCE, the use of iron became popular throughout China, and the Chinese Iron Age generally dates from this period onwards. The name “China” probably comes from the Iron Age Qin (Ch’in) dynasty (221-206 BCE), also known as the first imperial dynasty of China, which is credited with unifying the country. Another important Chinese dynasty of the Iron Age was the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE).
(i) Why did the growth of agriculture contribute to the rise of urban centres in ancient China?
(ii) How did the use of bronze and iron help in the development of Chinese civilisation?
(iii) Explain any two factors that helped transform early Chinese settlements into a powerful civilisation.
Answer:
(i) The growth of agriculture produced surplus food, which supported a larger population and allowed people to engage in crafts, trade and administration, leading to the growth of urban centres.
(ii) Bronze and iron improved the quality of tools and weapons, increasing agricultural production, craft activities, defence and economic development.
(iii) The transformation of early Chinese settlements into a powerful civilisation was supported by

• Advances in agriculture and metallurgy, which increased food production and encouraged trade and urban development.
• Strict dynastic rule, which helped unify people, establish organised administration and maintain political stability.

Question 2.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow.
In the Indian subcontinent, we find regional variation in the initiation of agricultural ways of life. In the northwest, the site of Mehrgarh on the Bolan River (in present-day Pakistan) is the oldest Neolithic site. It was also the earliest agricultural village, dating back to about 7000 BCE. Its people built handmade sun-dried brick houses and granaries, buried their dead in graves, and made a variety of ornaments from semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, carnelian, and shells. They cultivated wheat and barley and raised sheep, goats and Indian cattle—the zebu (humped bull) in particular. They were also the first to make copper objects, thus entering the Metal Age and becoming popularly known as the Chalcolithic people by about 4000 BCE. This laid the basis for the Bronze Age Sindhu-Sarasvati civilisation around 2600 BCE.
(i) Why did the people of Mehrgarh build granaries?
(ii) How did the use of copper influence the lives of the people of Mehrgarh?
(iii) Explain any two features of Mehrgarh that show it was a settled agricultural community.
Answer:
(i) Granaries were built to store surplus food safely for future use and to protect it from spoilage.
(ii) The use of copper helped people make stronger tools and marked the beginning of the Chalcolithic (Metal) Age, leading to technological progress.
(iii) Mehrgarh was a settled agricultural community because

• People built permanent sun-dried brick houses and granaries instead of living a nomadic life.
• They practised agriculture by growing wheat and barley and domesticated animals such as sheep, goats and cattle.

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Picture Based Questions

Question 1.
The given image shows a stepped temple built on a raised platform. Identify the structure shown in the picture.

Options:
(a) Pyramid
(b) Mastaba
(c) Ziggurat
(d) Citadel
Answer:
(c) Ziggurat

Question 2.
The given image shows wedge-shaped symbols impressed on a clay tablet. Identify the writing system shown in the picture.

Options:
(a) Hieroglyphic Script
(b) Cuneiform Script
(c) Harappan Script
(d) Brahmi Script
Answer:
(b) Cuneiform Script

Question 3.
The given image shows a long defensive wall built across hills and mountains. Identify the monument shown in the picture.

Options:
(a) Great Bath
(b) Great Wall of China
(c) Dockyard of Lothal
(d) Pyramid of Giza
Answer:
(a) Great Wall of China

Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation Class 9 Map Based Questions

Question 1.
On the outline map of Asia, locate and label the following important archaeological sites.
(i) Mehrgarh
(ii) Harappa
(iii) Dholavira
(iv) Kalibangan
Answer:

Question 2.
On the outline map of Asia, locate and label the following important archaeological sites.
(i) Kot Diji
(ii) Amri
(iii) Lothal
(iv) Kunal
Answer:

Question 3.
On the outline map of the world, locate and label the following regions.
(i) Africa
(ii) Europe
(iii) Asia
(iv) Arabian Desert
(v) Sahara Desert
Answer: