Final answer:
Hunter-gatherer societies were nomadic bands that subsisted through hunting and gathering, with mobility and egalitarianism as key features. They adapted to their environments and eventually some practices led to the Neolithic Revolution and the domestication of animals. While largely replaced by other ways of life, some hunter-gatherer societies still exist, adapting to modern changes while providing insights into human social evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hunter-gatherer societies were the earliest form of human organization, characterized by small, nomadic bands that relied heavily on the environment for their subsistence. They hunted wild animals and scavenged for plants, moving seasonally across territories, often guided by animal migrations and resource availability. These societies were highly dependent on their natural surroundings and exhibited strong egalitarian principles, sharing resources within the band.
As resources became scarce, hunter-gatherers would migrate to find new areas for sustenance. They were adept at using and conserving their environment, and it is speculated that these practices eventually gave rise to the domestication of animals during the Neolithic Revolution. Sharing and generosity were valued traits, and material possessions were minimal and distributed based on need. Despite the decline of such societies over time, due to various factors including the encroachment of agriculturalists, some hunter-gatherer groups persist today and continue to evolve culturally and socially.
The hunter-gatherer way of life represents a significant stage in human civilization before the domestication of plants and animals, greatly influencing how humans interacted with the environment and with one another. Today, although the majority of people have adopted different modes of living, hunter-gatherers continue to intrigue and hold lessons about sustainability and social organization.