Снадо! what did the world look like 12000 years ago? in many ways it looked as it does today. there were oceans , lakes and rivers , mountains hills and deserts. the main difference? much more land was covered with forests and all the animals were wild. human beings were hunters and gatherers. they usually lived in small bands. often one large family made up a band. it included not only parents with children but also grandparents , uncles , and cousins. sometimes , several smaller families formed a band.