Hunters and gatherers {hunter-gatherer}| were nomadic, with some horticulture. Hunter-gatherer was the only society type before -10000.
hunting
Wood spears began [-33000]. Later, people used spear throwers. Later, they used bows and arrows. In hunter society, sharing kills with community members was common. Sharing reduced future risks to individuals.
life
Birth and death rates were high. Average life span was 20, but people lived to 35 to 40 years old if they lived past first year. Abortion and infanticide were common. Ill and old died when community moved.
tribes
Common language, culture, and name caused hunter-society informal associations. Tribes resulted from social fission.
villages
Hunters and gatherers had 40 people in villages.
classes
Hunting societies did not have a strong class system. Rulers had little power. Hunter societies had one headman, who was the best hunter, one shaman, and artisans. These positions were part time. Office of headman was hereditary in more than half of groups. Shamans healed, blessed hunts, protected against evil spirits, and punished enemies. War was rare.
law
Laws were few, with little private property. In hunter society, if people suffered injury, they and/or relatives took blood revenge. Punishment by community included loss of respect, ostracism, and banishment for serious offense. If people violated rituals, communities relied on supernatural to punish offender.
slaves
Hunters rarely had slaves.
kinship
Economic organization depended on nuclear and extended families, unless hunting and gathering were communal. Kinship patterns were important. Extended families helped people in hard times. Headman had two or three wives. People could divorce. Kinship was through males: brothers or father and his married sons. Exogamy with neighboring tribes opened more territory for migration and so increased food.
gender
Hunting, making weapons, making tools, politics, religion, and art were male activities. Collecting and preparing vegetables and caring for children were female activities. Hunter societies had respect for old people, people with supernatural powers, people with skill in war, people with skill in hunting, kindness, generosity, good temper, and speaking ability. Only males received respect.
games
Hunters probably had few games.
religion
Hunters did not have one God but did have a main god. Religions were myths about world and man creation. Religion, magic, aesthetic reasons, and entertainment inspired art.
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Date Modified: 2022.0224