Final answer:
Hunter-gatherer societies in Africa differed from settled societies by their nomadic lifestyle and reliance on hunting and foraging, in contrast to the agricultural practices and permanent dwellings that defined settled societies after the Neolithic Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
What distinguished hunter-gatherer societies in Africa from settled societies is primarily their reliance on hunter-gatherer practices, such as hunting prey and foraging for food, rather than reliance on agriculture and domestication which are characteristics of more settled societies. Hunter-gatherer societies were nomadic and moved frequently in search of food and resources, as opposed to settled societies which developed permanent residences due to the stability provided by agriculture. Over time, the advent of agriculture, known as the Neolithic Revolution, allowed human populations to grow significantly and transition into complex societies with specialized occupations and social hierarchies. Permanent settlement locations in these agricultural societies promoted the development of towns and cities, trade and commerce, and advanced tools and technology.