Chapter 2 Primitive Man In The Indian Subcontinent Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man
Salient Points At A Glance
Apes and hominids:
‘Apes’ were big, tailless monkeys who lived on earth before the appearance of human beings. ‘Hominids’ were the first human beings. The apes gradually transformed into hominids due to changes in climate and food habits.
Primitive man:
The term ‘primitive man’ is used to refer to human beings of very ancient times. There are divisions among primitive man determined by the shapes of skulls. These divisions are Australopithecus, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, and Homo Sapiens.
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Lucy:
The skeleton of a young girl was found in 1974 in the Hadar region of Ethiopia in Africa. This skeleton, named Lucy, belonged to the Australopithecus category and has been estimated to be 32,00,000 years old.
Stone Age:
Stone Age was a time in history when primitive man used tools and weapons made out of stone. Stone Age may be divided into three stages-Old Stone Age, Middle Stone Age, and New Stone Age.
Old Stone Age:
The period of the Old Stone Age was approximately from 2 million years B.C. to 10,000 BC. The primitive man of the Old Stone Age were hunters and food gatherers. Weapons of this age were heavy, large, and rough.
Middle Stone Age:
The period of the Middle Stone Age was approximately from 10,000 BC to 8,000 BC. The stone weapons of this age were small, light, and sharp. Along with hunting and gathering food, a primitive man of this age also began to rear animals.
New Stone Age:
The period of the New Stone Age was approximately from 8,000 BC to 4,000 BC. Weapons of this period were much lighter and sharper. Primitive men of this age abandoned nomadic life and started a settled life.
Stone Age Tools in Indian Subcontinent:
Stone Age tools have been discovered in Kashmir’s Swan Valley, Patawar Plateau of Pakistan, Shivalik in Himachal Pradesh, Hunsgi Valley of Karnataka, Sarai Nahar Rai in Uttar Pradesh, and some other places in the Indian Subcontinent.
Hunsgi Valley:
The Hunsgi Valley is located in the northwest of Gulbarga district in Karnataka. The Kathta Halla canal flows by it. Some weapons of the Stone Age like axe, knives, and scrapers were unearthed here in 1983. Historians guess that these weapons are about 5-6 lakh years old.
Bhimbetka:
The Bhimbetka cave is located near the Vindhyas at some distance from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The Bhimbetka cave became famous for the drawings made by primitive men who lived there. Most of them depict hunting scenes. There are also colorful pictures of birds and animals.
Altamira:
The Altamira cave is located in the mountainous region of Spain in Europe. A number of drawings of animals have been found here. These were drawn by cave dwellers about 30,000 to 50,000 years ago. The most notable is that of the Taro (bull).
Discovery of fire:
Primitive man discovered fire. Fire protected them from the attacks of wild animals. They started to eat roasted meat and could save themselves from the cold by lighting fire.
Signs of civilization:
In the New Stone Age lifestyle of the primitive man began to change. They began to make permanent settlements. Different signs of civilization could be seen in the lifestyles of the people. They gradually began to move towards a civilized life.
WBBSE Class 6 History Question Answer Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man
Descriptive Questions
Question 1. Why did the ‘apes’ come down from the trees and set out in search of deeper forests?
Answer:
The ‘apes’ come down from the trees and set out in search of deeper forests:
Millions of years ago a large portion of the land of the earth was covered with dense forests. The eastern part of Africa also had some dense forests. Huge animals, many kinds of birds and monkeys used to live there.
Apes, which were a big tailless monkeys, were also found. When there were changes in the climate the number of trees decreased and it became difficult to move around those trees. Fruits were also not easily available.
Thus a group of apes set out in search of deeper forests. Another group of apes came down from the trees to the ground in search of food.
Question 2. On what basis primitive man can be divided? What are the divisions?
Answer:
Division Of Primitive man can be :
Primitive men can be divided into four types according to the shapes of their skulls.
These divisions are:
1. Australopithecus:
They lived about 4 to 3 million years ago. They could barely stand on their feet.
2. Homo Habilis:
They lived about 2.6 to 1.7 million years back. They used to live in groups and could walk. Their food was fruits of forests and raw meat.
3. Homo Erectus:
They lived about 2 million to 3,50,000 years ago. They could stand straight on two feet. They lived in groups. They were the first to learn the use of fire.
4. Homo Sapiens:
They lived about 2,30,000 years ago. They were the first intelligent human beings. They used to roast animal flesh and wear animal skin to protect themselves from the cold.
Question 3. Discuss the main features of Australo- pieces and Homo Habilis human species.
Answer:
The main features of Australo- pieces and Homo Habilis human species:
Determined by the shapes of skulls, primitive men are divided into four groups.
Two such groups are
- Australopithecus or ape to man and
- Homo Habilis or skilled human beings.
1. Features of Australopithecus:
The features of Australopithecus (from ape to man) are as follows
- They lived about 4 to 3 million years ago.
- They could barely stand on two feet.
- They had strong jaws which helped them to eat dry fruits and solid nuts. [iv] They used to strike at trees with branches and tried to throw stones.
2. Features of Homo Habilis:
Homo Habilis were known as skilled human beings.
Some of their features are
- They lived about 2.6 to 1.7 million years ago.
- They could walk and live in groups.
- They ate fruits and raw meat.
- They were the first to use stones as weapons.
- They could carve a stone weapon by striking one stone to another.
Question 4. What are the main features of Homo Erectus and Homo Sapiens human species?
Answer:
The main features of Homo Erectus and Homo Sapiens human species:
Determined by the shapes of human skulls, primitive man is divided into four groups.
Two such groups are
- Homo Erectus and
- Homo Sapiens.
1. Features of Homo Erectus:
The features of Homo Erectus are as follows
- Homo Erectus lived about 2 million to 3,50,000 years ago.
- They could stand straight on two feet.
- They lived in caves in groups.
- They could hunt and were the first to know the use of fire.
2. Features of Homo Sapiens:
The features of Homo Sapiens are as follows
- Homo Sapiens lived about 2,30,000 years ago.
- They used their intelligence to make small, sharp, and pointed stone weapons like spears.
- They used fire for different purposes such as roasting of animal flesh.
- They used animal skins to cover their body.
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Question 5. Compare the main events of the different phases of the Stone Age.
Answer:
Main events of the different phases of the stone age
Name of the age | Period | Main events | |
Old Stone Age | 1. Early | Approximately from 20,00,000 years ago to 75,000 BC | Use of big stones. The main occupations are hunting, fishing, collecting of wild fruits |
2. Middle | Approximately from 75,000 BC to 50,000 BC | Sharpening stone weapons on both sides. Using animal skins as clothes and animal bones for other purposes. |
|
3. Later | Approximately from 50,000 BC to 10,000 BC | Increasing skill in making stone weapons, inventing of sewing with needles made of bone, and the invention of the harpoon. | |
Middle Stone Age | Approximately from 10,000 BC to 8,000 BC | Use of new weapons like bows and arrows, making rafts and boats by hollowing out tree trunks to use as a means of water transport. |
|
New Stone Age | Approximately from 8,000 BC to 4,000 BC | Use of sharp and smooth weapons with handles, the beginning of agriculture, the invention of the wheel, and settled life. |
Question 6. What are the differences between Old Stone Age and New Stone Age?
Answer:
The differences between Old Stone Age and New Stone Age:
The stone Age can be divided into three stages
- Old Stone Age
- Middle Stone Age and
- New Stone Age.
The differences between the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age are as follows
1. Period:
The Old Stone Age was approximately from 2 million years BC to 10,000 BC. The new Stone Age was approximately from 8000 BC to 4000 BC.
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2. Features:
Weapons of the Old Stone Age were heavy, large, and rough. Primitive men of the Old Stone Age lived in caves or under the open sky. They were hunters and food gatherers. They could not produce their own food.
So they used to wander about in different areas to collect food. They did not know how to domesticate animals. Weapons of the New Stone Age, on the other hand, were lighter and sharper with handles.
Coming out of the caves primitive men of the New Stone Age started a settled life. They started cultivation and animal rearing. They invented the wheel. They transformed themselves from food gatherers to food producers.
Question 7. What were the major changes in the New Stone Age?
Answer:
The major changes in the New Stone Age:
With the end of the Middle Stone Age, the New Stone Age started. It was the last period of the Stone Age. Major changes in the New Stone Age are
1. Weapons:
Various kinds of stone weapons and tools were made which were much sharper and lighter. Some weapons were small in size.
2. Cultivation and rearing of animals:
Primitive man in this age for the first time learned to cultivate the land and began to produce their own food. They also began to rear animals.
3. Earthenware Vessel:
Primitive man also started making earthenware vessels.
4. Settlement:
Primitive man in this age abandoned their nomadic life and settled in different regions, particularly around food-producing areas.
Question 8. Compare the features and activities of man in the different stages of evolution.
Answer:
Features and activities of man in the different stages of evolution
Stage | Period | Physical features a food habits | Other activities |
1. Australo- pithecus | Lived about 4 to 3 million years ago | 1. Could barely stand on feet 2. Well-formed and sturdy jaws 3. Ate nuts and dry fruits | 1. Struck at trees with branches 2. Tried to throw stones |
2. Homo Habilis | Lived about 2.6 to 1.7 million years ago | 1. Could Walk 2. Ate fruits and raw meat | 1. Used stones as weapons for the first time and could make crude weapons 2. Lived in groups |
3. Homo Erectus | Lived about 2 million to 3,50,000 years ago | Could stand straight on two feet | 1. Lived in caves in groups 2. Learned hunting and used pebbles and hand axes as weapons 3. They were the first to have learnt the use of fire |
4. Homo Sapiens | Lived about 2,30,000 years ago | 1. Completely developed brain 2. Ate roasted meat | 1. Used intelligence to make small, sharp, and pointed stone weapons like spears 2. Wore animal skins 3. Used fire for various purposes |
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Analytical Questions
Question 1. How was the lifestyle of man in the Middle Stone Ages?
Answer:
The lifestyle of man in the Middle Stone Ages:
The period of the Middle Stone Age was approximately from 10,000 BC to 8000 BC. Coming out of the caves primitive man of the Middle Stone Age began to make small settlements.
Along with hunting and gathering fruits from forests, they began to rear animals which ensured them a greater supply of food and milk. Stone weapons which they used were small, light, and sharp.
Question 2. Describe the weapons of the Old Stone Age, Middle Stone Age, and New Stone Age.
Answer:
The weapons of the Old Stone Age, Middle Stone Age, and New Stone Age:
The stone Age can be divided into three stages:
- Old Stone Age
- Middle Stone Age and
- New Stone Age.
In each of these stages, the stone weapons used by primitive man had certain special features which are as follows:
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1. Old Stone Age:
Weapons of the Old Stone Age were large, heavy, rough, and ill-framed.
2. Middle Stone Age:
Weapons of the Middle Stone Age were light, small, and sharp.
3. New Stone Age:
Weapons of the New Stone Age were much lighter and sharper.
Question 3. What gradual changes came about in the anatomy of primitive man after the discovery of fire?
Answer:
The anatomy of primitive man after the discovery of fire:
After the discovery of fire primitive man began to eat roasted meat instead of the raw flesh of animals. Roasted meat were soft and for consuming it much less pressure was needed to be applied by their jaws and teeth.
This led to a change in the shape of jaws and teeth. Jaws became narrow and the front teeth, which was sharp and long, became smaller. The physical strength of primitive men increased and their intelligence also developed.
Thus some changes came about in the anatomy of primitive men after the discovery of fire.
Question 4. What do you mean by Stone Age? What are the three stages of the Stone Age?
Answer:
Meaning of Stone Age:
Stone Age is an important part of human history. The age in which man used stone to make stone tools and weapons is known as Stone Age.
Three Stages of the Stone Age:
Stone Age can be divided into three stages
- Old Stone Age
- Middle Stone Age and
- New Stone Age.
Question 5. How did primitive man discover fire?
Answer:
Primitive man discover fire:
Discovery of fire was a very significant event in the course of human history. Primitive man did not know how to produce fire. Later on they discovered it.
1. Forest fire:
Primitive man used to watch forest fires lighted in some other way. Once they brought a burning branch of a tree inside their cave to make a fire. They found that rubbing two pieces of dry wood produced fire.
2 Striking of stones against each other:
While breaking stones to make weapons primitive man noticed that fire could be lit by striking two stones against each other. Thus primitive man learned how to produce fire.
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What are the features that distinguish a human being from other animals?
Answer:
The features that distinguish a human being from other animals:
The unique features of a human being that distinguish him from other animals are the ability to walk upright on two feet, the use of hands, a long vertebral column, a large developed brain, and a large skull to accommodate the brain.
Question 2. What is meant by ‘apes’ and ‘hominids? How did the apes change into hominids?
Answer:
‘Apes’ and ‘hominids:
Apes’ were big, tailless monkeys who lived on earth before the appearance of human beings. ‘Hominids’ were the first human beings. The apes gradually transformed into hominids due to changes in climate and food habits.
Question 3. What is meant by primitive? Where did the most primitive man exist? On what basis can primitive men be divided?
Answer:
Primitive:
The word ‘primitive’ means very old.
- The traces of the most primitive, man have been found in East Africa.
- Primitive men can be divided into groups according to the shapes of their skulls.
Question 4. What is Lucy?
Answer:
Lucy:
Lucy is the skeleton of a young girl. It was found in 1974 in the Hadar region of Ethiopia in Africa. This skeleton belonged to the Australopithecus category and has been estimated to be 3.2 million years old.
Question 5. Mention the different stages of the evolution of man.
Answer:
The different stages of the evolution of man are as follows:
- Australopithecus (the ape-man),
- Homo Habilis (the skilled man),
- Homo Erectus (the upright man) and
- Homo Sapiens (the intelligent man).
Question 6. What do you mean by Homo Habilis and Homo Sapiens?
Answer:
Homo Habilis and Homo Sapiens:
Homo Habilis were skilled human beings. Homo Sapiens were intelligent human beings.
Question 7. What do you mean by Middle Stone Age?
Answer:
Middle Stone Age:
The period between the Old Stone Age and New Stone Age is known as Middle Stone Age. The Middle Stone Age is approximately from 10,000 BC to 8,000 BC.
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Question 8. How did fire change the food habits of primitive man?
Answer:
The discovery of fire played a very important part in the lives of primitive men. Fire changed the food habits of primitive men.
They found that meat tasted better if it was roasted in the fire. So they began to eat roasted meat instead of the raw flesh of animals.
Question 9. What was discovered in the Hadar region of Ethiopia in 1974?
Answer:
In the Hadar region of Ethiopia in 1974 some parts of an Australopithecus skeleton were discovered. It was the skeleton of a small girl who lived about almost 3.2 million years ago.
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Objective Type Questions
State whether the following statements are true or false.
Question 1. Millions of years ago a major part of the landmass of the earth was covered with forests.
Answer: True
Question 2. Australopithecus is the first stage of transition from ape to human race.
Answer: True
Question 3. Homo Habilis is the first human race to stand erect.
Answer: False
Question 4. Homo Habilis is a skillful human race.
Answer: True
Question 5. Homo Sapiens is the first intelligent human race.
Answer: True
Question 6. Old Stone Age extended from about 2 million BC to 10,000 BC.
Answer: True
Question 7. Middle Stone Age extended from about 10,000 BC to 7,000 BC.
Answer: False
Question 8. New Stone Age extended from about 8,000 BC to 6,000 BC.
Answer: False
Question 9. The weapons of the Old Stone Age were big, heavy, and crude.
Answer: True
Question 10. The weapons of the Middle Stone Age were small, light, and sharp.
Answer: True
Question 11. The weapons of the New Stone Age were light and sharp.
Answer: True
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expression From The Brackets
Question 1. The term _______ (ancient/neo/primitive) means very old or related to the beginning.
Answer: Primitive
Question 2. There were dense forests on the eastern part of _______ (Asia/Africa/Europe).
Answer: Africa
Question 3._______ (Homo Habilis/Homo Erectus/HomoSapiens) was the first intelligent man.
Answer: HomoSapiens
Question 4. Primitive man was like the __________ (chimpanzee/monkey/gorilla).
Answer: Chimpanzee
Question 5. Human history constitutes of (primitive men/people/ apes) and their activities.
Answer: People
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Question 6. _____(Australopithecus/ Homo Erectus/ Homo Habilis) lived approximately around 2.6 to 1.7 million years back.
Answer: Homo Habilis
Question 7. ______ (Homo Habilis/Australopithecus/ Homo Erectus) were the first to use stone as a weapon.
Answer: Homo Habilis
Question 8. The first primitive men to live in groups were the _________ (Homo Erectus/Homo Sapiens/Australopithecus).
Answer: Homo Erectus
Question 9. _________ (Homo Sapiens/Australopithecus/ Homo Erectus) were the first to know the use of fire.
Answer: Homo Erectus
Question 10. Intelligent human beings were known as ______ (Homo Habilis/Homo Erectus/ Homo Sapiens).
Answer: Homo Sapiens
Question 11. The first very significant event in the life of primitive man was the use of ________ (metal/fire/water).
Answer: Fire
Question 12. In the Hadar region in Ethiopia some parts of an _______ (Homo Sapiens/Homo habilis/ Australopithecus) skeleton
discovered.
Answer: Australopithecus
Question 13. Primitive men of the __________ (Old Stone Age/ New Stone Age/Middle Stone Age) age abandoned nomadic life and began to make settlements in particular regions.
Answer: New Stone Age
Question 14. Primitive men produced fire by rubbing two pieces of _______ (wood/metal/iron).
Answer: Wood
Question 15. After the discovery of fire primitive men consumed _______ (raw flesh of animals/ cooked food/roasted meat).
Answer: Roasted meat
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Question 16. Initially primitive man used to eat _______ (cooked food/burnt meat/raw meat and fruits).
Answer: Raw meat and fruits
Question 17. The earliest tool of primitive man was _________ (blunt stone/light chiseled stone/stone axe).
Answer: Blunt stone
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Answer In A Complete Sentence
Question 1. What are the unique features of the human body?
Answer: Walking upright on two feet, the use of hands and a long vertebral column are the unique features of the human body.
Question 2. What do you mean by ‘apes’?
Answer: ‘Apes’ were big tailless monkeys who lived on earth before the appearance of a man.
Question 3. How was the land mass of the earth millions of years ago?
Answer: The land mass of the earth millions of years ago was covered with dense forests.
Question 4. How many years ago Australopithecus lived?
Answer: Australopithecus lived about 4 to 3 million years ago.
Question 5. Where do we find traces of the most primitive man?
Answer: Traces of the most primitive man have been found in East Africa.
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Question 6. Who were the first to use stone as a weapon?
Answer: Homo Habilis were the first to use stone as a weapon.
Question 7. How many years ago intelligent human beings lived?
Answer: Intelligent human beings (Homo Sapiens) lived about 2,30,000 years ago.
Question 8. Into how many stages Stone Age can be generally divided?
Answer: The stone Age can be generally divided into three stages.
Question 9. What changed the food habits of primitive man?
Answer: Fire changed the food habits of primitive man.
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Question 10. What protected primitive man from the attack of different animals?
Answer: Fire protected primitive man from the attack of different animals.
Question 11. What is Hadar?
Answer: Hadar is the name of a place in Ethiopia in the continent of Africa.
Question 12. What is Lucy?
Answer: Lucy is the Australopithecus skeleton which was found in 1974 AD in the Hadar region of Ethiopia.
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Select The Most Appropriate Option For The Following Statement
Question 1. Human beings can be distinguished from other creatures.
1. Man has some specific physical features.
2. Man has greater strength than other creatures.
3. The size of man’s brain is bigger than those of other creatures.
Answer: 1. Man has some specific physical features.
Question 2. Statement The number of trees decreased in the primitive age.
1. Many trees were cut down to light fire.
2. The climate gradually changed.
3. In the primitive age trees were consumed by forest fires.
Answer: 2. The climate gradually changed.
Question 3. Statement There are several classifications of primitive man.
1. The size of the palms of primitive men were different.
2. The heights of Primitive men differed.
3. The shape of the brains of primitive men is different.
Answer: 3. The shape of the brains of primitive men is different.
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Question 4. Statement Primitive men had learned to make stone weapons.
1. To protect themselves from wild animals.
2. To build colonies for settlement.
3. To win battles against other clans.
Answer: 1. To protect themselves from wild animals.
Question 5. Statement Primitive man consumed meat after roasting it on fire.
1. The amount of meat increased on burning.
2. Burnt meat was softer than raw meat.
3. Burnt meat could be preserved for some days.
Answer: 2. Burnt meat was softer than raw meat.
Question 6. Statement The jaws of primitive man gradually became thinner.
1. They developed the habit of eating from the ground like the reptiles.
2. Various changes took place in the physical structure of all creatures.
3. Less strength was needed to chew the burnt meat.
Answer: 3. Less strength was needed to chew the burnt meat.
Question 7. Statement The Old Stone Age is divided into different phases.
1. During this time weapons were made with the help of different techniques.
2. During this period, it has been noted that the physical features of man changed several times.
3. During this period the people of different clans developed different habits.
Answer: 1. During this time weapons were made with the help of different techniques.
Chapter 2 Topic A Tales Of Primitive Man Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1. Millions of years ago land of the earth was covered with
- Snow
- Trees
- Dense forest
- Sand
Answer: 3. Dense forest
Question 2. The part of the continent of Africa which was covered with the dense forest was the
- Eastern part
- Southern part
- Western part
- Northern part
Answer: 1. Eastern part
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Question 3. Millions of years ago in the eastern part of the continent of Africa, there were big tailless monkeys known as
- Chimpanzee
- Ape
- Gorilla
- Macaque
Answer: 2. Ape
Question 4. A particular kind of human species who could barely stand on their feet came around
- 4 to 3 million years back
- 5 to 4 million years back
- 2 to 1 million years back
- 7 to 6 million years back
Answer: 1. 4 to 3 million years back
Question 5. Till date traces of the most primitive man have been found in
- West Africa
- North Africa
- East Africa
- South Africa
Answer: 3. East Africa
Question 6. The word primitive means
- Late
- Very old
- Cnew
- Modern
Answer: 2. Very old
Question 7. On what basis divisions among primitive men are determined?
- Legs
- Skull
- Fingers of hand
- Height
Answer: 2. Skull
Question 8. The first among the primitive men to use stones as a weapon were the
- Homo Habilis
- Homo Erectus
- Homo Sapiens
- Australopithecus
Answer: 1. Homo Habilis
Question 9. Homo Habilis means
- Intelligent human beings
- Ape to man
- Skilled human beings
- Modern Man
Answer: 3. Skilled human beings
Question 10. The first among the primitive men to make stone weapons like spears were the
- Homo Sapiens
- Homo Habilis
- Homo Erectus
- Australopithecus
Answer: 1. Homo Sapiens
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Question 11. The first among the primitive men to learn the use of fire were
- Homo Habilis
- Homo Erectus
- Australopithecus
- Homo Sapiens
Answer: 2. Homo Erectus
Question 12. Intelligent human beings were the
- Australopithecus
- Homo Sapiens
- Homo Habilis
- Homo Erectus
Answer: 2. Homo Sapiens
Question 13. The first among primitive men to wear animal skins were the
- Homo Erectus
- Homo Habilis
- Homo Sapiens
- Australopithecus
Answer: 3. Homo Sapiens
Question 14. A very significant event in the course of human history is
- Use of fire
- Use of metal
- Use of chopper
- Use of horse
Answer: 1. Use of fire
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Question 15. The skeleton of Lucy was discovered in
- 1974
- 1972
- 1970
- 1976
Answer: 1. 1974