NCERT Class 11 History Themes in World History: Chapter 1 — Writing and City Life
This chapter, 'Early Societies,' from NCERT's Class 11 History textbook 'Themes in World History,' delves into the origins of human existence, tracing back millions of years to early human emergence in Africa. It explores how archaeologists study prehistoric life through bone and stone tool remains, reconstructing aspects like shelter, diet (gathering and hunting), and early forms of expression. Key developments such as the use of fire and language are discussed, alongside insights gained from studying contemporary hunter-gatherer societies. The chapter also introduces early Mesopotamian cities, their development around temples, role in trade, and the diverse populations inhabiting them. It poses questions about the relationship between urban activities and the development of writing, and the long transition from nomadic life to settled agriculture, which began approximately 5,000 years before the first cities were established. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of human societal evolution for Class 11 students preparing for CBSE exams.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | History |
| Book | Themes in World History |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Writing and City Life |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 322 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the origins and early evolution of human societies.
- Learn about archaeological methods used to study prehistoric life.
- Identify key developments like the use of fire and language.
- Analyze the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agriculture.
- Gain insights into early urban centers like those in Mesopotamia.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Archaeologists | Scientists who study human history and prehistory through excavation of sites and analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. |
| Nomadic | Living a life of wandering, moving from place to place in search of food and water. |
| Gathering | Collecting wild plants and other edible resources. |
| Hunting | The activity of pursuing and killing wild animals for food or sport. |
| Settled agriculture | Farming in one place, leading to permanent settlements. |
| Temples | Buildings devoted to the worship of a god or gods. |
| Craftspeople | People who make things by hand, skilled in a particular craft. |
| Scribes | People who copy out documents, especially one whose occupation was to write. |
| Pastoral people | People who raise livestock and move with their herds. |
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Practice questions
- Where did humans first emerge according to archaeological findings? Answer: Humans first emerged in Africa.
- What are the two main sources archaeologists use to study early human life? Answer: Remains of bones and stone tools.
- What were two important developments mentioned for early humans? Answer: The use of fire and the use of language.
- In which present-day country were the earliest cities discussed in the chapter located? Answer: Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq.
- What significant shift in lifestyle began around 5,000 years before the first cities? Answer: The gradual shift from nomadic life to settled agriculture.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Archaeologists reconstruct early human life primarily from remains of:
Explanation: Archaeologists rely on physical evidence like bones and stone tools to understand prehistoric human life, as written records are often absent for these early periods.
Q2. Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a key development for early societies?
Explanation: The text explicitly mentions the use of fire, language, and hunting/gathering as significant aspects of early societies, but the invention of the wheel is not discussed in this introductory section.
Q3. The early cities discussed in Theme 1 developed around:
Explanation: According to the text, the earliest cities mentioned, those of Mesopotamia, developed around temples and served as centers for trade.
Q4. What kind of people played an important role in some of the early Mesopotamian towns?
Explanation: The chapter notes that pastoral people played a significant role in some of the towns that developed in Mesopotamia.
Q5. The transition from nomadic life to settled agriculture began approximately how long before the first cities?
Explanation: The text states that the shift from nomadic life to settled agriculture began at least 5,000 years before the establishment of the first cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Chapter 2, 'Early Societies'?
Chapter 2 focuses on the origins of human existence, the methods used to study early societies through archaeology, key developments like fire and language, and the transition from nomadic life to settled agriculture and early cities.
How do archaeologists study early human societies?
Archaeologists study early human societies by examining remains such as bones and stone tools found at excavation sites.
What were some significant achievements of early humans mentioned in the chapter?
Significant achievements mentioned include the use of fire and the development of language.
Where were some of the earliest cities discussed located?
Some of the earliest cities discussed were located in Mesopotamia, which is present-day Iraq.
What major lifestyle change began around 5,000 years before the first cities?
The major lifestyle change was the gradual shift from nomadic life to settled agriculture.
What role did temples play in the early Mesopotamian cities?
The early Mesopotamian cities developed around temples, which served as centers for religious activities and potentially trade.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 History — Themes in World History — Chapter 1 — History Writing and City Life. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.