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- Early human history means the long period before writing was invented .
- We study it mainly through archaeological evidence - tools, fossils and cave art.
- Early humans evolved in Africa and gradually migrated to different parts of the world .
- During the Palaeolithic period , humans were hunter-gatherers who used stone tools like handaxes, cleavers and scrapers , and lived in caves or open camps .
- In the Mesolithic period , humans developed microlithic tools and began occupying temporary settlements near rivers and lakes .
- The Neolithic period marked a major shift to agriculture and domestication of animals , leading to permanent villages, pottery making and weaving .
- The Chalcolithic period saw the use of copper along with stone tools and the growth of early farming communities .
- These developments led to the emergence of Bronze Age civilisations , characterised by urban centres, trade, writing, administration and social organisation .
- Four major early civilisations developed independently in fertile river valleys .
- They were Sindhu-Sarasvati, Mesopotamia, Egypt and China .
