Final answer:
The social unit most commonly associated with hunter-gatherers is the band, characterized by mobility, a sexual division of labor, and egalitarianism, with kinship ties and shared resources being fundamental for survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social unit most commonly associated with hunter-gatherers is the band, a small kinship-based group of about 25 to 50 individuals. These mobile bands of hunter-gatherers were largely egalitarian societies, with members participating in a division of labor by gender and sharing resources communally to ensure group survival. Mobility was a key feature, as these groups needed to move to where the resources were, maintaining relationships with other bands. A significant aspect was the sexual division of labor, with men primarily focused on hunting and women on gathering, though there was some overlap and variation across different societies.
The hunter-gatherer lifestyle showed a deep dependence on the environment and frequent movement in search of food sources. This required a vast knowledge of the natural world and strong social cohesion within the bands. Due to their mobile nature, these groups owned few possessions and shared almost everything. Over time, as resources permitted, some groups could establish semi-permanent settlements, particularly near abundant fish supplies. However, many nomadic groups would consult within to decide the best time and place to move, often led by women who could judge the depletion of local resources.
Egalitarianism was a third key feature in many hunter-gatherer societies, characterized by an ethos of sharing and social equality, discouraging hoarding and self-aggrandizement. It's essential to note that while these are general patterns, there is a significant diversity in subsistence strategies and social structures among hunter-gatherer societies worldwide.