"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin

From hunter-gatherers to complex civilizations, human societies have undergone significant transformations. These evolutionary stages have been influenced by various factors such as geography, resources, and innovations.

1. Hunter-Gatherer Societies:

• Definition: Nomadic groups that rely on hunting wild animals and gathering plant-based foods.
• Characteristics: Small populations, egalitarian, no private property, limited hierarchies.

2. Agrarian Societies:

• Definition: Societies based around cultivating plants or domesticating animals.
• Emergence: Began with the Neolithic Revolution around 10,000 BCE.
• Characteristics: Led to settled communities, increased populations, beginnings of social stratification, and the development of trade.

3. Pastoral Societies:

• Definition: Societies primarily involved in the care of herds and livestock.
• Characteristics: Nomadic, wealth measured by the number of livestock, gender roles became more pronounced.

4. Feudal Societies:

• Definition: A social structure prevalent in Europe during the Middle Ages where land was owned by nobility and worked by peasants.
• Characteristics: Hierarchical, system based on obligations and protection, limited mobility.