Hunter-Gatherer

Definition

A hunter-gatherer is a member of a society that relies on hunting wild animals and foraging for wild edible plants for their subsistence, in contrast to an agricultural society. This way of life is the oldest human subsistence strategy, dating back thousands of years.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hunter-gatherers typically live in small, mobile groups and have a diverse diet that includes a wide variety of wild plants, fungi, and animals.
2. The transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural one is known as the Neolithic Revolution, which occurred independently in different regions around the world.
3. Hunter-gatherers often have a deep understanding and respect for the natural environment, as their survival is closely tied to their ability to sustainably use and manage natural resources.
4. The social structure of hunter-gatherer societies is typically egalitarian, with no clear hierarchies or social classes, and decisions are often made through consensus.
5. The development of tools, such as stone tools, bows and arrows, and fishing implements, has been crucial for the success of hunter-gatherer societies in procuring food and other resources.

Review Questions

• Describe the key characteristics of a hunter-gatherer society and how they differ from agricultural societies.
  • Hunter-gatherer societies rely on the hunting of wild animals and the foraging of wild plants for their subsistence, in contrast to agricultural societies that rely on the cultivation of domesticated crops and the raising of livestock. Hunter-gatherers typically live in small, mobile groups and have a diverse diet, while agricultural societies tend to have larger, more sedentary populations and a more specialized diet. Additionally, hunter-gatherer societies are often egalitarian, with no clear hierarchies or social classes, while agricultural societies often develop more complex social structures and economic systems.
• Explain the role of tools and technology in the success of hunter-gatherer societies.
  • The development of tools, such as stone tools, bows and arrows, and fishing implements, has been crucial for the success of hunter-gatherer societies in procuring food and other resources. These tools have allowed them to hunt more effectively, gather a wider variety of wild plants, and access resources in different environments. The ability to create and use these tools has been a key factor in the survival and adaptation of hunter-gatherer societies over thousands of years, as it has enabled them to efficiently exploit their natural surroundings and meet their basic needs.
• Analyze the relationship between hunter-gatherer societies and the natural environment, and how this relationship has influenced their social and cultural practices.
  • Hunter-gatherer societies have a deep understanding and respect for the natural environment, as their survival is closely tied to their ability to sustainably use and manage natural resources. This close relationship with the environment has influenced their social and cultural practices, such as the development of egalitarian social structures, the emphasis on consensus-based decision-making, and the incorporation of spiritual beliefs and rituals that reflect their reverence for the natural world. The need to adapt to the rhythms and cycles of the natural environment has also shaped the nomadic and mobile nature of hunter-gatherer societies, as they must constantly search for and relocate to areas with abundant resources. This intimate connection with the natural world is a defining characteristic of hunter-gatherer societies and has contributed to their long-term resilience and success as a way of life.

Related terms

Foraging:

The act of searching for and collecting wild food resources, such as plants, fungi, and small animals, to meet one's nutritional needs.

Nomadism:

The practice of moving from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location, in search of resources and favorable living conditions.

Egalitarian Society: A social system in which all members have equal status and access to resources, with no hierarchical structures or social classes.