Final answer:
Prior to 1200 BC, small animals such as deer, birds, and rabbits were the most common types of food hunted. Hunting strategies varied and included the pursuit of larger game when feasible. The Neolithic Revolution eventually shifted focus from hunting and gathering to agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before 1200 BC, hunting was a primary means of subsistence and small animals such as deer, rabbits, and birds were commonly hunted for food. Larger game like bison, mammoths, and wild boar were also sought after by ancient peoples and could have involved more complex hunting strategies such as driving herds over cliffs or using fire to encircle animals. This practice of hunting larger animals was not only for sustenance but also an important part of the culture, indicated by significant time and resources devoted to such activities, including elaborate shared clan sacrifices.
Diets varied widely based on the availability of resources in different environments. In lush and warm areas, a variety of edible plants and animals were accessible, while in colder climates, the diet relied more heavily on animals and fish. The Neolithic Revolution, which started around 10,000 years ago, marked a shift from a nomadic lifestyle to agriculture and the domestication of animals, leading to the development of permanent settlements and a gradual decrease in reliance on hunting and gathering.