in the beginning vs primitively

in the beginning and primitively both are adverbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
in the beginning	No	No	No	Yes
primitively	No	No	No	Yes

As adverbs, in the beginning and primitively are synonyms defined as:

in the beginning and primitively: with reference to the origin or beginning

Other synonyms of in the beginning include originally.

in the beginning (adverb)	primitively (adverb)
with reference to the origin or beginning	in a primitive style or manner
before now	with reference to the origin or beginning