In a preindustrial society, food production is the main economic activity. Preindustrial societies can be subdivided according to their level of technology and their method of producing food. Hunting and gathering is one of the subdivisions of the preindustrial society. The main form of food production in hunting and gathering societies is the daily collection of wild plants and the hunting of wild animals. Hunter-gatherers move around constantly in search of food. As a result, they do not build permanent villages or create a wide variety of artifacts. The need for mobility also limits the size of hunting and gathering societies. Such societies generally consist of fewer than 60 people and rarely exceed 100 people. Statuses within the group are relatively equal, and decisions are reached through general agreement. The family forms the main social unit, with most societal members being related by birth or by marriage. This type of organization requires the family to carry out most social functions--including production and education.
Societies that rely primarily or exclusively on hunting wild animals, fishing, and gathering wild fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables to support their diet. Until humans began to domesticate plants and animals about ten thousand years ago, all human societies were hunter-gatherers.
