Page 253 - New Medley 3 Semester 2

Early Settlements

The main problem of early humans was to find enough food for their
family. They had to move from one place to another in search of food.

The early humans used to stay mostly near the ponds, lakes or rivers.
They caught fishes and used them as food. The early humans led an

almost settled life near the water bodies. They noticed that plants grow
in soft land.

Beginning of Farming
The early humans used to eat fruits like mangoes

and throw away the seeds. After some time, some
of these seeds grew into plants. This gave them

the idea that plants can grow in soft soil. They
noticed that in hot and wet weather, the plants

grow at a faster rate. They sowed the seeds in the
soft ground. This was, perhaps, the beginning of

farming by the early humans.

Domestication of Animals

They noticed that animals may walk over the plants and destroy them.
They domesticated animals like dogs and used them for hunting and also

for keeping the animals and birds away from their fields. Slowly, they
learnt the use of stones and bones for digging the soft land. This was

probably the first method of ploughing the land. They also developed a
plough with wooden stick.

In the beginning, the early humans pulled the plough themselves and

then used animals to pull the plough. They tamed animals such as goats,

sheep, cows, buffaloes, pigs and horses. These animals provided them
with milk, meat and skin.

Beginning of Village Life

The early humans had to look after the fields and domesticated animals.
Thus, they had to stay near the fields. All the members of their family

helped one another in the work.

251