Complete Summary and Solutions for Timeline and Sources of History – NCERT Class VI Social Science, Chapter 4 – Historical Time, Evidence, Early Humans, Questions, Answers

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Timeline and Sources of History

Introduction to History

The chapter begins with a quote by E.H. Carr emphasizing history as a dialogue between present and past. It highlights museums like the National Museum in New Delhi that preserve historical objects.

Big Questions

How do we measure historical time?
How can various sources help us understand history?
How did early humans live?

How Do We Learn About the Past?

We explore personal memories and family history to understand the past. The chapter discusses the Earth's long history and humanity's tiny part in it, using a timeline of life's evolution.

Experts Who Study the Past

Geologists: Study Earth's physical features.
Palaeontologists: Study fossils.
Anthropologists: Study human societies and cultures.
Archaeologists: Dig up remains like tools, pots, bones.

Measuring Time in History

Each society has its own calendar. The Gregorian calendar uses CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era). No year zero exists, so calculations adjust by subtracting 1 when crossing eras.

Timeline Example

Timelines show sequences of events. Example: Buddha's birth before Jesus.

Terms for Time Periods

Term	Definition	Example
Century	100 years	21st century CE: 2001-2100
Millennium	1,000 years	3rd millennium CE: 2001-3000

Sources of History

Sources include oral, literary, archaeological, artistic. Historians use multiple sources to reconstruct the past.

Beginnings of Human History

Modern humans (Homo sapiens) appeared 300,000 years ago. Early humans were hunters-gatherers, used fire, made tools, lived in groups.

First Crops and Settlements

After the Ice Age (around 12,000 years ago), humans started farming and domesticating animals, leading to villages and towns.

Key Takeaways for Exams

Concept	One-Liner Answer
How to calculate years between BCE and CE?	Add dates and subtract 1
Main sources of history?	Archaeological, literary, oral
Early humans' life?	Hunters-gatherers, used fire, tools

Golden Exam Answer

“Sources of history include archaeological remains, literary texts, and oral traditions, which help reconstruct the past.”

Key Terms & Definitions – Complete Glossary (Chapter 4)

All important terms with detailed explanation, examples, exam tips & common mistakes.

Fossils

Definition: Impressions or remains of plants/animals preserved in soil/rocks.

Example: Dinosaur bones.

Exam Tip: Studied by palaeontologists.

Era

Definition: Distinct period of time.

Example: Common Era (CE).

Exam Tip: CE starts from Jesus' birth year.

Century

Definition: 100 years period.

Example: 21st century: 2001-2100 CE.

Exam Note: BCE centuries count backwards.

Millennium

Definition: 1,000 years period.

Example: 3rd millennium CE: 2001-3000.

Exam Tip: Plural: millennia or millenniums.

Source of History

Definition: Place, person, text, or object providing past information.

Example: Coins, inscriptions.

Exam Tip: Multiple sources for accuracy.

Afterlife

Definition: Life after death.

Example: Early humans' beliefs.

Exam Note: Influenced burials.

Exam Quick Tips & Mnemonics

CE/BCE Calculation: Add dates -1
Mnemonic: "BCE Before CE, Subtract 1 to Agree"
Sources: Archaeological (dig), Literary (read), Oral (hear)

Activities + 25+ Questions and Answers - Timeline and Sources of History

Activities with Detailed Observations and Inferences

Let's Explore: Family Tree

Setup: Collect info on 3 generations (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents).
Observation: Names, occupations, birth places from photos, memories, ID cards.
Inference: Sources like oral (memories), documents help reconstruct family past.
Exam Tip: Relates to sources of history.

Let's Explore: Timeline Creation

Setup: Timeline from 1900 CE to current, mark family births.
Observation: 20th century: 1901-2000 CE.
Inference: Understands centuries and sequencing.

Let's Explore: Early Humans Activities

Setup: Observe rock shelter picture.
Observation: Hunting, gathering, using fire.
Inference: Nomadic life, group cooperation.

Let's Explore: Agricultural Community

Setup: Observe scene picture.
Observation: Farming, animal rearing, pottery.
Inference: Settled life, division of labor.

NCERT In-Text Questions - Solved

1. What is the earliest memory you can recollect? Do you remember how old you were at that time?

Answers vary; e.g., Playing with toys at age 3, from photos/memories.

2. How do you think understanding the past will help us understand the present world?

Past events shape societies, cultures, technologies today.

3. Can you calculate how many years ago that was? (Buddha's birth)

560 BCE + 2024 CE - 1 = 2,583 years ago.

End-of-Chapter Questions - Fully Solved

1. As a project, write the history of your family using sources.

Use family tree, photos, interviews; guide from teacher.

2. Can we compare historians to detectives?

Yes, both gather clues/sources to reconstruct events.

3. Date exercises (chronological order, centuries).

Order: 1900 BCE, 323 BCE, 100 BCE, 100 CE, 323 CE, 1090 CE, 2024 CE. Chandragupta: 4th century CE, 880 years after Buddha.

4. Plan museum visit.

Research exhibits, take notes, write report on interesting finds.

5. Invite archaeologist/historian.

Speak on regional history's importance.

Extra Practice Questions (Exam Booster – 25+ Questions)

1. What is history according to E.H. Carr?

Unending dialogue between present and past.

2. Who studies Earth's physical features?

Geologists.

3. What are fossils?

Preserved remains/impressions of ancient life.

4. What is the Gregorian calendar?

12 months, 365 days, leap years.

5. What does CE stand for?

Common Era.

6. How to calculate years between BCE and CE?

Add and subtract 1.

7. What is a timeline?

Sequence of dates/events.

8. Define century.

100 years period.

9. Define millennium.

1,000 years period.

10. What is a panchanga?

Indian calendar book with astronomical data.

11. What is a source of history?

Information source about past.

12. Name main sources categories.

Archaeological, literary, oral, artistic.

13. Who is a historian?

Studies and writes about past.

14. What is genetics?

Study of inherited characteristics.

15. When did modern humans appear?

300,000 years ago.

16. How did early humans live?

Hunters-gatherers, in groups, used fire/tools.

17. What is afterlife?

Life after death.

18. When did last Ice Age end?

Around 12,000 years ago.

19. Why settle near rivers?

Water, fertile soil.

20. What is welfare?

Health, prosperity.

21. What is a hamlet?

Small settlement.

22. Differentiate CE and BCE.

CE: After Jesus' birth; BCE: Before.

23. Why no year zero?

1 BCE followed by 1 CE.

24. Name Indian calendar type.

Panchanga, sun-moon based.

25. What new technologies after farming?

Pottery, metal use.

Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration (Chapter 4)

Core ideas explained with examples, common confusions, and exam connections.

Timeline

Concept: Sequence of events.
Example: Buddha before Jesus.
Exam Note: Helps order history.
Confusion: No year zero.

Sources of History

Concept: Evidence from past.
Example: Fossils, coins.
Exam Trick: Multiple for accuracy.

Exam Master Tips:

Mnemonics: "GAP" for Geologists, Anthropologists, Palaeontologists
Most Asked: Calculation of years BCE to CE

Historical & Social Insights - Timeline and Sources

Evolution of historical understanding.

Historical

Calendars: Gregorian, Hindu, Muslim
Early Humans: From hunters to farmers

Exam Important Points:

Social: Group living led to communities

Interactive Chapter Review Quiz

Unlock the Past!

Timeline • Sources • Early Humans

Historical Inquiry Skills Step-by-Step (Chapter 4)

Skill 1: Creating a Timeline

• Mark events chronologically
• Use BCE/CE correctly
• Add/subtract for calculations
Conclusion: Understands sequence and durations.

Skill 2: Analyzing Sources

• Identify type (archaeological/literary)
• Cross-check multiple sources
• Note biases/contradictions
Conclusion: Reconstruct accurate history.

Skill 3: Family History Project

• Collect oral/documents/photos
• Create tree/table
Conclusion: Personal connection to historical methods.

Skill 4: Observing Artifacts

• Describe object (coin, sculpture)
• Infer information (period, culture)
Conclusion: Artifacts tell stories.

Best Exam Answer Tip:
“Historians use multiple sources like archaeological remains and literary texts to reconstruct the past accurately.”
→ Use in every 3-mark question!

Complete Summary and Solutions for Timeline and Sources of History – NCERT Class VI Social Science, Chapter 4 – Historical Time, Evidence, Early Humans, Questions, Answers

Timeline and Sources of History

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Timeline and Sources of History

Introduction to History

Big Questions

How Do We Learn About the Past?

Experts Who Study the Past

Measuring Time in History

Timeline Example

Terms for Time Periods

Sources of History

Beginnings of Human History

First Crops and Settlements

Key Takeaways for Exams

Golden Exam Answer

Key Terms & Definitions – Complete Glossary (Chapter 4)

Fossils

Era

Century

Millennium

Source of History

Afterlife

Exam Quick Tips & Mnemonics

Activities + 25+ Questions and Answers - Timeline and Sources of History

Activities with Detailed Observations and Inferences

Let's Explore: Family Tree

Let's Explore: Timeline Creation

Let's Explore: Early Humans Activities

Let's Explore: Agricultural Community

NCERT In-Text Questions - Solved

1. What is the earliest memory you can recollect? Do you remember how old you were at that time?

2. How do you think understanding the past will help us understand the present world?

3. Can you calculate how many years ago that was? (Buddha's birth)

End-of-Chapter Questions - Fully Solved

1. As a project, write the history of your family using sources.

2. Can we compare historians to detectives?

3. Date exercises (chronological order, centuries).

4. Plan museum visit.

5. Invite archaeologist/historian.

Extra Practice Questions (Exam Booster – 25+ Questions)

1. What is history according to E.H. Carr?

2. Who studies Earth's physical features?

3. What are fossils?

4. What is the Gregorian calendar?

5. What does CE stand for?

6. How to calculate years between BCE and CE?

7. What is a timeline?

8. Define century.

9. Define millennium.

10. What is a panchanga?

11. What is a source of history?

12. Name main sources categories.

13. Who is a historian?

14. What is genetics?

15. When did modern humans appear?

16. How did early humans live?

17. What is afterlife?

18. When did last Ice Age end?

19. Why settle near rivers?

20. What is welfare?

21. What is a hamlet?

22. Differentiate CE and BCE.

23. Why no year zero?

24. Name Indian calendar type.

25. What new technologies after farming?

Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration (Chapter 4)

Timeline

Sources of History

Exam Master Tips:

Historical & Social Insights - Timeline and Sources

Historical

Exam Important Points:

Interactive Chapter Review Quiz

Historical Inquiry Skills Step-by-Step (Chapter 4)

Group Discussions