Foraging societies had smaller populations and simpler social structures from "summary" of Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels by Ian Morris
Foraging societies typically had smaller populations compared to later farming societies. This is largely due to the fact that foragers were reliant on hunting and gathering food from their immediate environment, which limited the number of people that could be supported. In contrast, farming allowed for larger populations to be sustained through the cultivation of crops and domestication of animals. The smaller populations of foraging societies also contributed to simpler social structures. With fewer people to organize and fewer resources to distribute, social hierarchies were less pronounced and roles within the society were generally more flexible. Foragers tended to live in small, close-knit groups where everyone had a role to play in ensuring the group's survival. In addition to smaller populations, foraging societies also tended to have simpler technologies and material cultures. Without the need to produce surplus food or goods for trade, foragers had less incentive to develop complex tools or technologies. This simplicity extended to their social structures as well, with fewer specialized roles or institutions compared to later farming societies.- The combination of smaller populations, simpler technologies, and more flexible social structures characterized foraging societies. While these societies were able to thrive in their environments for thousands of years, the transition to agriculture marked a significant shift in human history that would ultimately lead to the development of more complex societies.
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