NCERT Class 06 History Chapter 4 What Books and Burials Tell Us.

In this chapter, titled “What Books and Burials Tell Us,” students explore the fascinating insights that ancient books and burial sites provide about the past. The chapter highlights the significance of deciphering inscriptions, studying artefacts, and understanding burial practices to reconstruct historical narratives.

Topics Covered:

Introduction to Books and Burials:

• • Introduces the concept of studying history through books and artefacts found in burial sites.
  • Emphasizes the importance of archaeology and epigraphy in unravelling historical mysteries.

Deciphering Inscriptions:

• • Explains the role of inscriptions as written records of ancient societies.
  • Discusses the decipherment of inscriptions using the example of the Rosetta Stone and its impact on understanding hieroglyphics.

Books of Ancient Times:

• • Explores how ancient texts were recorded on materials such as palm leaves, birch bark, and animal skins.
  • Introduces students to ancient writing systems like Brahmi and Kharosthi.

Reading Between the Lines:

• • Discusses the challenges faced in deciphering ancient scripts due to their unfamiliarity and the passage of time.
  • Emphasizes the role of scholars and experts in decoding ancient languages.

Burial Sites and Archaeological Discoveries:

• • Explores the significance of burial sites in uncovering insights about past societies.
  • Highlights discoveries from burial sites, such as pottery, ornaments, tools, and human remains.

Harappa and Mohenjodaro:

• • Introduces the Indus Valley Civilization and its well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
  • Discusses how archaeological excavations have provided insights into the urban planning, trade, and daily life of the people in these ancient cities.

Megaliths:

• • Explores the concept of megaliths and their role in burial practices of ancient times.
  • Discusses different types of megalithic structures and their distribution across different regions.

Learning from Bones:

• • Explains how the study of human remains can reveal information about diet, health, and lifestyle of ancient people.
  • Highlights the importance of osteology (study of bones) in reconstructing the past.

Piecing Together the Past:

• • Summarizes the process of piecing together historical information from various sources such as inscriptions, artefacts, and archaeological findings.
  • Emphasizes the collaborative effort of historians, archaeologists, and epigraphists in reconstructing history.

Conclusion: The chapter concludes by underscoring the role of books and burial sites as valuable sources of information for historians. It encourages students to appreciate the complexity of deciphering ancient languages and learning from the artefacts left behind by our ancestors. By studying these remnants of the past, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures and societies that have shaped human history.