Timeline and Sources of History

Question 1.
How is time measured in history?
Answer: Currently, the Gregorian Calendar is used worldwide to measure current
time and historical time line.
Question 2. What is a century?
Answer: A period of 100 years is known as century.
Question 3. Define millennium.
Answer: A period of 1,000 years is known as millennium.
Question 4. Who studies fossils?
Answer: Paleontologists study fossils. It is to learn about plants and animals etc.,
who lived millions of years ago.
Question 5.
What do anthropologists study?
Answer:
They study human societies and cultures, from ancient times till present.
Question 6.
What do archaeologists study?
Answer:
They study human, animals and plants history through artifacts and physical
remains.
Question 7.
What were early humans primarily engaged in?
Answer:
The early humans were primarily hunters and gatherers.
Question 8.
What is an Ice Age?
Answer:
A period when earth was covered with ice is known as Ice Age.
Question 9.
What technological advancements did early humans develop?
Answer:
The early humans developed tools such as improved stone axes, blades, and
pottery.
Question 10.
What sources can historians use to study ancient civilisations?
Answer:
There are many sources such as artifacts, inscriptions, literature, and scientific
analyses.
Question 11.
How do historians deal with contradictory sources?
Answer:
The historians evaluate the available resources and then cross-verify them to
seek their authenticity.
Question 12.
How do calendars traditionally work in India?
Answer:
Indian calendars often use astronomical data to predict events like eclipses and
festivals.
Question 13.
What role do newspapers and electronic media play in studying recent history?
Answer:
Newspapers and electronic media provide information for studying recent
history, especially the last few decades.
Question 14.
There are some people who are trained to uncover the secrets left beneath the
Earth’s surface and help us learn about the past. Name any three of them.
Answer:
The people who are trained to uncover the secrets left beneath the Earth’s
surface and help us learn about the past are as follows
 Geologists They study physical features of the Earth, like rocks,
mountains, rivers, etc.
 Paleontologists They study the fossils of plants and animals.
 Archaeologists They study the remains of tools, pots, beads, figurines,
toys, bones, etc.
Question 15.
How is the beginning of a new era marked?
Answer:
The beginning of a new era is marked with the birth of an important person or
the start of the ruler’s reign.
Question 16.
Differentiate between common era and before common era.
Answer:
The years after the birth of Jesus are marked as Common Era(CE) on the other
hand (BCE) the years before the birth of Jesus are marked as ‘Before Common
Era’.
Question 17.
How scientific research is contributing to studying the past?
Answer:
Scientific research is contributing in studying the past in following ways
 It supports the studies of ancient climate.
 It helps in chemical studies of excavated materials
 It studies the genetics of ancient people.
Question 18.
When was the last ‘ice age’ observed?
Answer:
The last ice age was observed between 100,000 years ago to 12,000 years ago.
Question 19.
Which type of technologies were developed with the development of large
villages and towns?
Answer:
The following type of technologies were developed with the development of large
villages and towns
Pottery The techniques of making pots and other clay objects.
Use of Metals They used copper and iron for making tools and other objects of
daily use. It increased the durability of these objects.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
What is the Gregorian calendar?
Answer:
The most widely used calendar today, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It
counts years from the birth of Jesus Christ (Anno Domini, A.D. or Common Era,
C.E.).
Question 2.
How do historians calculate years between BCE and CE dates?
Answer:
Calculating the years between BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era)
dates is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail due to the
transition from negative to positive numbering, with no year zero in the
traditional Gregorian calendar.
Question 3.
What are sources of history?
Answer:
Sources of history include artifacts, written records, oral traditions, and scientific
studies.
Question 4.
How old are modem humans estimated to be?
Answer:
It is believed that the modern humans have been on Earth for approximately
300,000 years.
Question 5.
How did the development of agriculture change early human societies?
Answer:
As the agriculture led to the growth of settled communities and social
complexity, this changed the early human societies in a big way.
Question 6.
What are the limitations of historical sources?
Answer:
There are many such as the historical sources may be incomplete, biased or
many times not clear in their meaning.
Question 7.
Mention two changes in the life of early man after the discovery of agriculture.
Answer:
The changes in the life of early man after the discovery of agriculture were
 As people began to grow plants, they had to stay in the same place for a
long time. It was not possible for them to migrate frequently as before.
Crops took a long time to grow and produce grains.
 In some parts of the sub-continent, people started making large clay pots,
baskets, or dug pits into the ground in order to store grains for both food
and seed.
Question 8.
What could be the reasons behind the continued use of traditional calendars for
religious and cultural events even though the common era calendar is widely
adopted?
Answer:
Traditional calendars are often deeply intertwined with the religious and cultural
practices of a community. They carry significant meaning for calculating the
dates of festivals, rituals and.other auspicious events. Despite the global
adoption of the common era calendar for most practical purposes, these
traditional calendars preserve cultural heritage and ensure that important events
are celebrated in a manner consistent with longstanding traditions.
Question 9.
What can be inferred about the significance of the first crop cultivation in human
history?
Answer:The cultivation of the first crops marked a significant shift from nomadic
lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. This development allowed humans
to produce surplus food, leading to population growth and the establishment of
permanent settlements.
It also paved the way for advancements in technology, social structures and
trade. The first crops thus played a crucial role in the development of complex
societies and civilisations.
Question 10.
What role did geographical factors play in the domestication of the first crops?
Answer:
Geographical factors played a crucial role in the domestication of the first crops,
as certain regions offered favourable conditions for agriculture, such as fertile
soil, a stable climate and access to water sources. The availability of wild plant
species suitable for domestication also influenced where early farming began.
These geographical advantages allowed early humans to experiment with and
eventually master agricultural practices, leading to the spread of farming
techniques to other areas.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Explain the following terms in short
(a) BC
(b) AD
(c) CE
(d) BCE
(e) Script
Answer:
(a) BC: The letters BC means Before Christ. Dates are generally counted (i.e. the
day, the month and the years) or assigned to the birth of Jesus Christ, the
founder of Christianity so 2000 BC means 2000 years before the birth of Jesus
Christ. All dates before the birth of Jesus Christ are counted backwards and
generally have the letter BC (Before Christ) added on.
(b) AD: We sometimes find AD before dates. This stands for two Latin words,
“Anno Domini”, and mean in the year of the lord (i.e., Jesus Christ). For example,
2008 can also be written as AD 2008 or 2008 AD.
(c) CE: Sometimes CE is used instead of AD. The letters CE stands for ‘Common
Era’.
(d) BCE: Sometimes BCE is used instead of BC. The letters BCE stands for ‘Before
Common Era’. We use these terms because the Christian Era is now used in the
most countries of the world.
(e) Script: Way of style of writing of a language is called a script. It consists of
letters or signs. For example, ‘Devnagri’ is a script of Hindi.
Question 2.
What are the methods used to measure historical time, and why is it important?
Answer:
Historical time is measured using different calendars and timelines. Different
calendars are based on marking significant events like the birth of important
figures or the beginning of eras. The Gregorian calendar, widely used today,
counts years from the birth of Jesus Christ. Other calendars, like the Hindu,
Muslim, and Jewish ones, are also used.
Importance of Timeline Timelines help us understand the sequence of events,
such as the birth of Buddha before Jesus. This chronological understanding is
crucial for understanding the chronology and context of historical events, helping
us learn from the past to understand the present better.
Question 3.
What is the difference between a millennium and a century in terms of their
duration and how do these time periods help us understand historical events?
Answer:
A millennium refers to a period of 1,000 years, while a century is a period of 100
years. This distinction is significant in historical studies as it allows us to
categorise and analyse events over different time scales.
For example, the 21st century spans from the year 2001 to 2100 , while the 3rd
millennium covers the years from 2001 to 3000 . Understanding these time
frames helps historians contextualise major developments, such as the rise and
fall of civilisations, technological advancements, and significant cultural shifts.
By examining events within a millennium, historians can identify broader trends
and patterns that may not be apparent when looking at shorter periods like a
century. This long-term perspective is crucial for understanding the complexities
of human history and how different eras influence one another over time.
Question 4.
What types of sources do historians use to gather information about the past,
and how do these sources contribute to our understanding of history?
Answer:
Historians are dependent on several types of sources to gather information about
past events, including archaeological sources, oral sources, artistic sources and
literary sources. These sources can be described as follows – Archaeological
sources include artifacts such as tools, pottery, and remains of ancient
structures, which provide tangible evidence of how people lived, worked, and
interacted in their environments.
Oral sources consist of stories, traditions, and memories passed down through
generations, offering insights into cultural practices and societal values that may
not be documented in written form.
Artistic sources, such as paintings and sculptures, reflect the beliefs, emotions
and daily lives of people in different historical periods, helping us understand
their perspectives and experiences.
Literary sources encompass written texts, including historical accounts, poems
and religious scriptures, which provide context and details about events,
thoughts and philosophies of the time.
By analysing these diverse sources, historians can piece together a more
comprehensive and nuanced understanding of history, revealing the complexities
of human experiences across different cultures and egas.

Timeline and Sources of History Class 6 Case Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow
The calendar is commonly used worldwide; side.by side, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish,
Chinese and other calendars are also used for calculating the dates of festivals
and other auspicious events.
In the West, the conventional year for Jesus Christ’s birth has generally been
taken to be the starting point for this calendar. Years are counted forward from
this point and used to be marked with ‘AD’ (an abbreviation for a Latin phrase
that refers to the years after Jesus’ birth).
However, this is now called the Common Era or CE across the world. For
example, 1947, the year India gained independence, can be written as 1947 AD
(sometimes AD 1947) or 1947 CE. Similarly, the years before the conventional
date for the birth of Jesus are counted backward and used to be marked with BC
(or Before Christ). They are now called Before Common Era or BCE. For example,
560 BCE is an approximate year of birth of Gautama Buddha.
(i) In what ways might the use of different calendars create challenges for
historians trying to align dates of events across cultures?
Answer:
The use of different calendars can complicate the work of historians who attempt
to align dates of events across various cultures. Converting dates between
calendars requires a deep understanding of how each system operates, including
knowledge of leap years, lunar cycles, and other calendar-specific details. This
can lead to confusion when trying to establish a common timeline for global
history.

(ii) Why might the terminology for years have shifted from “AD” and “BC” to “CE”
and “BCE”?
Answer:
The shift from “AD” and “BC” to “CE” and “BCE” likely reflects a growing
recognition of the need for a more inclusive, secular way of marking time that
can be universally accepted regardless of religious beliefs. This change allows for
a more neutral terminology that still acknowledges the same historical reference
points but does so in a way that is respectful of diverse cultures and religions.
(iii) Let us assume that a turtle was born in year 450 CE. How many years ago
this event took place if this is the year 2024?
Answer:
If the turtle was born in 450 CE then this event took place (450+ 2024-1) 2,473
years ago.
Question 2.
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follows
Early humans faced many challenges from nature and lived in bands or groups to
help each other. They were constantly seeking shelter and food, and were mainly
hunters and gatherers; this means that they relied on hunting and collecting
edible plants and fruits for their survival.
Our early ancestors also had certain beliefs about the natural elements and
possibly also some notion of afterlife. These groups lived in temporary camps,
rock shelters or caves, and communicated with each other using languages that
are now lost. They used fire and started making objects that made their lives
easier, like improved stone axes and blades, arrowheads and other tools.
Aspects of their life are visible in rock paintings found in hundreds of caves all
over the world. Some of those paintings depict simple figures or a few symbols;
others are more detailed and represent scenes with animals or humans. In time,
these early humans learned to make simple ornaments such as stone or shell
beads, pendants made of animal teeth, and sometimes exchanged them with
other groups.
(i) What might be the reason early humans lived in groups or bands rather than
alone?
(a) To establish permanent settlements
(b) To ensure better protection and cooperation in finding food and shelter
(c) To develop complex languages
(d) To practice agriculture
Answer:
(b) To ensure better protection and cooperation in finding food and shelter
(ii) What might have been the purpose of the rock paintings created by early
humans?
(a) To decorate their living spaces
(b) To record their daily activities, beliefs or significant events
(c) To serve as blueprints for construction
(d) To document agricultural techniques
Answer:
(b) To record their daily activities, beliefs or significant events

(iii) Why is it likely that early humans began to improve tools such as stone axes
and blades?
(a) They had access to better materials over time
(b) Improved tools made hunting and gathering more efficient
(c) They were influenced by other cultures
(d) They needed to build permanent homes
Answer:
(b) Improved tools made hunting and gathering more efficient
(iv) The early humans used to do painting on their rock caves. What could be the
possible reasons for this activity?
(a) They wanted to beautify their walls
(b) They draw to mark the sign of authority
(c) They draw to make sure animals stay away from their shelters
(d) They used to draw to mark the ceremonies, gathering or their achievements
Answer:
(d) They used to draw to mark the ceremonies, gathering or their achievements
Timeline and Sources of History Class 6 Competency Based Questions
Question 1.
How early humans supported each other by living together?
Answer:
Early humans supported each other by living together in the following ways
 They used to communicate with each other using languages.
 They used fire to make tools that made their lives easier.
 They learnt to make simple ornaments and sometimes exchanged them
with the other groups.
Question 2.
The early communities often settle down near the rivers. Why?
Answer:
The early communities often settle down near the rivers due to following reasons
 They settled near rivers for the availability of water for various purposes.
 The other reason for settling down near the rivers was the fertile soil near
rivers which supported agriculture.
Question 3.
Oral histories and inscriptions on monuments enhance our understanding of
ancient civilisations. Justify the statement?
Answer:
Oral histories and inscriptions on monuments both play a crucial role in
enhancing our understanding of ancient civilisations by preserving cultural
narratives and official records. Oral histories capture traditions, stories and
experiences passed down through generations, offering personal and communal
perspectives on historical events.
Inscriptions on monuments provide formal and often official records, such as
decrees, commemorations and dedications, that offer direct evidence of
significant events and figures.
Combining these sources allows historians to validate oral traditions with
physical evidence and understand the broader socio-political context of ancient
societies.

Question 4.
It is important for historians to use multiple sources when studying the past.
Why?
Answer:
Using multiple sources is essential for historians to ensure accuracy and
comprehensiveness in their work. Different sources provide various perspectives
and types of information. For example, archaeological findings offer physical
evidence, while written records provide narrative accounts.
Studying multiple sources helps historians verify facts, identify biases, and
construct more reliable historical narratives. It also allows for a more holistic
understanding of past events, as each source type contributes unique insights
and details.
Question 5.
Analyse the challenges faced by early humans in adapting to changing
environmental conditions and the strategies they employed to ensure their
survival. How did these adaptations contribute to the development of more
complex societies over time?
Answer:
Early humans lived in a constantly changing environment, facing challenges such
as fluctuating climates, limited resources and threats from predators. To cope
with these challenges, they developed strategies such as forming small, mobile
groups for mutual support and protection, and relying on a diverse range of food
sources through hunting and gathering.
As the climate warmed after the last ice age, many communities began to settle
in fertile areas and adopt agriculture, leading to more stable food supplies and
population growth. This transition allowed for the development of more complex
social structures, as communities grew in size and individuals began to specialise
in different tasks.
Leaders emerged to manage resources and communal activities, while the
establishment of trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas
between different societies. As thęse communities became more prosperous and
technologically advanced, they laid the foundations for the rise of early
civilisations, with the development of writing, cities, and more sophisticated
social and political institutions.
Question 6.
Given that every object or structure tells a story and is like a piece in a jigsaw
puzzle, how do historians ensure they accurately reconstruct historical events
from these diverse sources?
Answer:
Historians ensure they accurately reconstruct historical events from diverse
sources by employing a careful and methodical approach. They gather
information from various types of evidence, including artifacts, written
documents, oral histories and archaeological findings.
Each source offers unique insights, much like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that,
when combined, create a fuller picture of the past. Historians critically evaluate
these sources for reliability and context, looking for corroboration among them.
Sometimes, sources may present conflicting information, requiring historians to
assess which sources are more credible based on factors such as the author’s
perspective, the time of creation, and the intended audience. They also consider
the contributions of specialists, such as archaeologists and anthropologists, who
provide additional context and expertise.
By synthesising information from multiple sources, historians can construct a
more nuanced understanding of historical events, ensuring that their
interpretations are as accurate and comprehensive as possible. This process
highlights the importance of diverse sources in piecing together the complex
narratives of human history
Question 1.
Analyse the impact of the discovery of fire on early human societies. Write a brief
essay discussing how fire influenced the diet, safety and social structure of early
humans.
Answer:
Analysing the impact of fire on early human societies involves understanding
how this discovery transformed daily life. Fire provided warmth and protection
from predators, allowing humans to inhabit colder regions. It also enabled the
cooking of food, which made it easier to digest and unlocked more nutrients,
contributing to physical and cognitive development.
Furthermore, the control of fire likely fostered social bonds as groups gathered
around campfires, leading to more complex social structures.

Question 2.
Examine the role of technology in the development of early human societies.
How did advancements shape their interactions?
Answer:
Technology played a crucial role in the development of early human societies by
facilitating more efficient food production and enhancing daily life. The invention
of tools, such as stone axes and later metal implements, allowed for better
hunting, gathering and farming practices.
As communities became more adept at producing food, they could support larger
populations and engage in trade. This technological advancement led to
increased interactions between different groups, as surplus goods were
exchanged.
Furthermore, innovations like pottery and weaving contributed to cultural
exchanges and the establishment of social hierarchies, shaping the dynamics of
early societies. Ultimately, technology was a driving force in the evolution of
human interactions and societal structures.
Question 3.
Evaluate the statement: “History is an unending dialogue between the present
and the past.” What does this mean in the context of how we study history?
Answer:
The above statement suggests that our understanding of history is continuously
influenced by contemporary perspectives and societal changes. This means that
historians do not simply study the past in isolation; they interpret historical
events through the lens of current values, beliefs and knowledge.
As society evolves, the interpretation of historical events also evolves, which can
lead to new insights or reevaluations of previously accepted narratives. This
dynamic relationship emphasizes the importance of context in historical study,
as what we consider significant or relevant can change over time.
Thus, history is not static; it is a living conversation that shapes and is shaped by
the present:
Question 4.
Reflect on the importance of timelines in historical study. How do they aid in
understanding the sequence and significance of events?
Answer:
Timelines are essential tools in historical study, providing a visual representation
of the sequence and duration of events over time. They help historians and
students organise information chronologically, making it easier to understand
how events relate to one another.
By placing significant occurrences in order, timelines reveal patterns and
connections that might otherwise be overlooked. For example, a timeline can
illustrate how the birth of influential figures or the occurrence of major events
influenced subsequent developments in society.
Additionally, timelines can highlight the relative scale of events, showing which
were pivotal in shaping human history. Overall, they serve as a framework for
contextualising historical narratives, allowing for a clearer understanding of the
complexities of the past and its impact on the present.