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On the Trail of the Earliest People – Class 6 History Chapter 2 Notes & Summary

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🗿 On the Trail of the Earliest People – Class 6 History Notes

Welcome to detailed notes for On the Trail of the Earliest People – the second chapter of Class 6 NCERT History. This chapter takes us back thousands of years when early humans roamed the earth in search of food, water, and shelter. Understanding how they lived helps us learn about human evolution, survival techniques, and the beginnings of society.

🌍 Who Were the Earliest People?

The earliest people were hunter-gatherers. They did not have permanent homes. Instead, they moved from place to place to find food and water. They hunted wild animals and gathered fruits, roots, nuts, and seeds. This nomadic lifestyle helped them survive in changing seasons and climates.

Early humans used simple tools made of stone, wood, and bones to hunt animals and gather plants. They also made clothes from animal skins and leaves to protect themselves from heat, cold, and rain.

🏞️ Why Did They Move from Place to Place?

There were many reasons why hunter-gatherers kept moving:

  • Need for Food: When they used up all the resources in one place, they moved to another where food was available.
  • Animals Moved: Wild animals migrated, so humans followed them for hunting.
  • Changing Seasons: During different seasons, plants and fruits were available in different areas.
  • Water: Rivers, lakes, and streams provided fresh water. When water dried up, people moved to other sources.

🧱 Tools Used by Early Humans

Early humans made tools mainly from stones. This period is called the Stone Age. Tools included hand axes, scrapers, and blades. These tools helped them:

  • Hunt animals and cut meat.
  • Remove animal skins for clothing.
  • Dig roots and gather plants.
Stones were shaped by hitting them together, making sharp edges. Some tools were attached to sticks to make spears.

🔥 Discovery of Fire

One of the biggest achievements of early humans was discovering fire. Fire changed their lives:

  • They cooked food, which made it easier to chew and digest.
  • Fire kept them warm during cold nights and winters.
  • It protected them from wild animals.
They probably discovered fire when lightning struck trees or rocks hit each other and produced sparks.

🏕️ Early Shelters and Caves

Early humans lived in caves and rock shelters. India has many famous stone-age sites like Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) where paintings of animals and hunting scenes are found. These cave paintings show us how early humans lived, hunted, and what animals existed then.

Shelters protected them from rain, wild animals, and heat. Over time, humans learned to build huts using branches, leaves, and animal skins.

🗺️ Sites Where Early Humans Lived

Archaeologists have found tools and bones in many parts of India — for example:

  • Bhimbetka: Rock shelters with paintings.
  • Kurnool Caves (Andhra Pradesh): Tools and ash heaps show use of fire.
  • Hunsgi (Karnataka): Tools found near streams and rocks.
These sites help us understand how and where early humans lived.

🍂 How We Know About the Past

Historians and archaeologists study tools, bones, cave paintings, and remains to learn about early humans. They dig sites, clean tools, and study them carefully. Even a simple stone tool can tell a big story about ancient life!

✨ Key Points – On the Trail of the Earliest People

  • Early humans were hunter-gatherers.
  • They moved place to place for food, water, and safety.
  • They made simple stone tools to hunt and gather food.
  • Fire helped them cook food and stay safe.
  • They lived in caves and rock shelters like Bhimbetka.
  • Archaeologists study remains to understand their life.

💡 Why This Chapter is Important

“On the Trail of the Earliest People” teaches us how humans adapted to nature, discovered new tools, and slowly built the foundation for farming and settled life. It shows the journey of human survival, creativity, and the spirit of exploration. These lessons help us appreciate how far we have come — from caves to modern cities!

Understanding our earliest ancestors reminds us to value nature, use resources wisely, and respect every step of our history.

Keep learning. Keep exploring. The past is the key to our future!

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