Final answer:
The structures that foragers live in vary based on factors like local environments, animal migration patterns, resource availability, climate conditions, technological advancements, and social structure. These factors dictate the materials used, the permanence of structures, and whether hunter-gatherers live nomadically or settle in one place for extended periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foragers, or hunter-gatherers, use a variety of structures for shelter, from permanent rock shelters to temporary dwellings. These structures vary based on several factors, including:
- Local environments - The type of habitat (such as tropical rainforests, savannahs, deserts, temperate forests, etc.) influences the materials available and the shelter needed.
- Seasonal migrations of animals - In areas like East Africa and Botswana, hunter-gatherers follow seasonal migrations, requiring mobility and thus more temporary shelters.
- Resource availability - The abundance or scarcity of resources can dictate whether hunter-gatherers settle temporarily or keep moving.
- Climate - Shelters are designed to protect against the local weather conditions, which may influence the permanence or type of the dwelling.
- Technological advancements - Over time, different techniques develop to utilize available materials effectively for building durable and functional homes.
- Social structure - Factors such as family forms, gender roles and relations, and social conflict can impact settlement patterns and thus the types of shelters used.
Prehistoric humans often inhabited rock outcrops and caves for shelters, while more mobile communities relied on easily constructed and dismantled structures. Some groups could settle in more stable environments, like coastal areas with year-round fish availability, leading to more permanent dwellings.