Final answer:
In early hominin societies, gathering was the primary means of acquiring food, with a focus on plant-based foods. Hunting small animals may have also been a part of their subsistence, but it was not the main method.
Step-by-step explanation:
In early hominin societies, hunting large animals was not necessarily the primary means of acquiring food. Instead, gathering was likely the main method of food-getting for our ancestors. They would gather fruits, nuts, berries, roots, and honey from wild bees. Some evidence suggests that early hominins had specialized teeth for eating gritty foods like nuts, seeds, and fruits with tough peels, indicating a diet of largely plant-based foods. Hunting and trapping smaller animals may have also been a part of their subsistence, but it was not the primary focus.