1. What is the name of the earliest known human ancestor that lived in Africa about 4.4 million years ago?

How was this species different from modern humans?

- The name of the earliest known human ancestor is Ardipithecus ramidus. This species was different from

modern humans in having a smaller brain, a more ape-like face, and a grasping big toe that helped in

climbing trees.

2. What are the three major river valley civilisations that emerged in the ancient world? Where and when did

they develop?

- The three major river valley civilisations are Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Indus Valley. Mesopotamia

developed in the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers around 3500 B.C.E. Egypt

developed along the Nile river around 3100 B.C.E. Indus Valley developed along the Indus river and its

tributaries around 2500 B.C.E.

3. What are the main characteristics of the classical civilisations of Greece and Rome? How did they

influence the later development of Europe and the world?

- The main characteristics of the classical civilisations of Greece and Rome are democracy, philosophy, art,

literature, architecture, law, and citizenship. They influenced the later development of Europe and the world

by providing models of political and cultural achievements, spreading their ideas and values through

conquest and trade, and inspiring the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.

4. What are the main features of the Chinese civilisation that emerged during the Zhou dynasty (1046-256

B.C.E.)? How did it differ from other civilisations at that time?

- The main features of the Chinese civilisation that emerged during the Zhou dynasty are feudalism,

Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, writing, bronze casting, iron working, and silk production. It differed

from other civilisations at that time by being more isolated and self-sufficient, having a unified culture and

language, and developing a complex bureaucracy and a merit-based system of administration.

5. What are the main achievements of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilisations in Mesoamerica and South

America? How did they adapt to their environments and interact with each other?

- The main achievements of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilisations are astronomy, mathematics, calendar

systems, writing, pyramids, temples, roads, bridges, irrigation systems, agriculture, art, and warfare. They

adapted to their environments by using different crops and techniques depending on the climate and terrain.

They interacted with each other by trading goods and ideas, forming alliances or rivalries, and fighting wars.