The beginnings of human history

Modern humans (Homo sapiens) have walked the planet for about 300,000 (three lakh) years. That sounds very long, yet it is only a tiny fraction of the Earth's history.

Early humans faced many dangers from nature, so they lived in bands or groups, to help each other. They were always looking for shelter and food, and were mainly hunters and gatherers: they survived by hunting animals and collecting plants and fruits they could eat. Co-operation was there from the start, because alone nobody survived.

Our early ancestors also had beliefs about the natural elements, and possibly some idea of an afterlife (a life that begins after death).

These groups lived in temporary camps, rock shelters or caves, and talked to each other in languages that are now lost completely, because there was no writing to keep them.

They used fire, and started making objects that made life easier, such as better stone axes and blades, made by rubbing stones until they were sharp, arrowheads and other tools.

We can see parts of their life in rock paintings found in hundreds of caves all over the world. Some show simple figures or a few symbols; others are more detailed scenes of animals or people. These paintings are a source of history: a message from people whose words are gone.

In time, early humans learned to make simple ornaments, such as stone or shell beads and pendants made of animal teeth, and sometimes exchanged them with other groups. That exchange between groups was the beginning of trade.