Early humans are the people who are hunter and gatherer because they hunted the food and gather the food to eat and survive.

Hunter-Gatherers: An Overview

Hunter-gatherers were early human societies that relied primarily on hunting animals and gathering wild plants for sustenance. They existed during the Paleolithic era, which spanned from around 2.6 million years ago to about 10,000 years ago. This period is also known as the Stone Age, as it predates the advent of agriculture and the use of metal tools.

Key Characteristics
Hunter-gatherer societies had several distinct characteristics that defined their way of life. These include:

1. Nomadic Lifestyle: Hunter-gatherers were highly mobile, moving from one area to another in search of food and resources. They did not establish permanent settlements and instead lived in temporary camps.

2. Small Group Size: Typically, hunter-gatherer communities consisted of small groups of around 20 to 50 individuals. This small size facilitated cooperation, division of labor, and efficient resource utilization.

3. Gender Roles: Hunter-gatherer societies often had distinct gender roles. Men were primarily responsible for hunting, while women gathered plant foods and took care of domestic tasks. However, roles were not strictly fixed, and both genders contributed to the survival of the community.

Subsistence Strategies
Hunter-gatherers relied on a combination of hunting, fishing, and gathering to obtain food. Their subsistence strategies can be further classified into two main categories:

1. Hunting: Hunting played a crucial role in providing protein-rich food. Hunter-gatherers used various tools such as spears, bows and arrows, and traps to capture animals for meat, fur, and bones.

2. Gathering: Gathering involved the collection of edible plants, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Women usually took charge of gathering, using their knowledge of local flora to identify edible plants and collect them in baskets.

Social Organization and Technology
Hunter-gatherer societies had relatively egalitarian social structures, as there was little accumulation of wealth or material possessions. Decision-making was often based on consensus, and leadership roles were typically fluid and situational.

In terms of technology, early hunter-gatherers used stone tools, such as handaxes and scrapers, to perform various tasks. These tools enabled them to butcher animals, process plant materials, and create fire. Over time, their tool-making techniques became more refined and sophisticated.

Legacy and Transition
Hunter-gatherer societies persisted for thousands of years before the development of agriculture, which marked a significant shift in human civilization. The transition from hunting and gathering to settled farming societies brought about numerous changes in human culture, social organization, and the environment.

In Conclusion
Hunter-gatherers were early human societies that relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their survival. Their nomadic lifestyle, small group size, and distinct gender roles characterized their way of life. While hunter-gatherer societies eventually gave way to agricultural societies, their legacy and the knowledge they acquired about the natural world were foundational to the development of human civilization.