Human

Humans (Homo sapiens, meaning 'thinking man' or 'wise man') are the most common species of primates. They walk on two legs and have big, complex brains. These brains help humans make advanced tools, create rich culture, and use sophisticated language. Humans are very social. They live in groups such as families and larger states. They create many different values, social norms, and rituals that shape their society.

Humans are very intelligent. They have a large prefrontal cortex that helps with thinking, memory, and self-awareness. Humans can imagine, plan, and share ideas. This has led to progress in technology, science, art, and many other areas. Their curiosity makes them explore the world and learn how things work.

Humans can eat both plants and animals. They have used fire to cook food since ancient times. Humans usually sleep during the night and need water and food to survive. Human history shows how early people moved from hunting and gathering to building permanent homes and taming animals. This led to the rise and fall of many civilizations. Today, humans live all over the world.

Genes and the environment shape human differences in looks, health, and abilities. But all humans share over 99% of their genes. On average, men are physically stronger, while women often live longer and have higher body fat. The roles of men and women have changed over time in different societies.

Etymology and definition

All modern humans are called Homo sapiens, a name given by Carl Linnaeus in 1735. Homo sapiens means "wise man" or "knowledgeable man." The word human comes from old languages like Latin and French.

Humans are animals, even though many people think they are different from animals. The word person is often used for humans, but people sometimes argue about what it means to be a person.

Evolution

Humans are part of the ape family. Our ancestors separated from other apes millions of years ago. Over time, many human-like species evolved, but only one remains today: Homo sapiens, or modern humans.

Early humans lived in Africa and later spread around the world, moving to places like Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas.

Scientists study fossils and DNA to learn about human evolution. They have found that modern humans mixed with other ancient human species, such as Neanderthals. This means we carry a small amount of their DNA. Human evolution included changes like walking on two legs, growing larger brains, and losing most of our body hair.

History

Until about 12,000 years ago, all humans lived by hunting and gathering food. The Neolithic Revolution (the start of farming) began in Southwest Asia and spread to many parts of the Old World. It also started on its own in Mesoamerica, China, Papua New Guinea, and the Sahel and West Savanna areas of Africa.

An urban revolution happened in the 4th millennium BCE with the creation of city-states, especially Sumerian cities in Mesopotamia. Other important civilizations appeared around this time, like Ancient Egypt and the Indus Valley Civilisation. They made new tools such as wheels, plows, and sails. The Caral–Supe civilization became the oldest advanced society in the Americas by 3000 BCE. People also began studying the stars and numbers, and the Great Pyramid of Giza was built. The Late Bronze Age collapse around 1200 BCE caused many societies to vanish and started the Greek Dark Ages. During this time, iron began replacing bronze, marking the Iron Age.

In the 5th century BCE, people began keeping records of history. Between the 8th and 6th century BCE, Europe entered the age of classical antiquity, when ancient Greece and ancient Rome thrived. Around the same time, other societies grew too. The Maya civilization began building towns and making detailed calendars. In Africa, the Kingdom of Aksum took over the weaker Kingdom of Kush and helped trade between India and the Mediterranean. In West Asia, the Achaemenid Empire created a centralized way of governing that influenced many later empires. The Gupta Empire in India and the Han dynasty in China are remembered as golden ages for their cultures.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, Europe entered the Middle Ages. During this time, Christianity and the Church became important for learning and leading people. In the Middle East, Islam became the main religion and spread into North Africa. This led to an Islamic Golden Age with wonderful buildings and new discoveries in science and technology. The Christian and Islamic worlds sometimes fought, with the Kingdom of England, the Kingdom of France, and the Holy Roman Empire starting a series of holy wars.

The early modern period in Europe and the Near East (about 1450–1800) began with the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Europe went through the Renaissance, and the Age of Discovery began as people explored and settled new lands. This time also saw the start of the Atlantic slave trade. It was also a time of great scientific discovery in mathematics, mechanics, astronomy, and physiology.

The late modern period (1800–today) brought the Industrial and Technological Revolution with new ways to make pictures, travel, and produce energy. The Napoleonic Wars took place in Europe in the early 1800s. A shaky balance of power among European countries ended in 1914 with the start of the First World War. In the 1930s, a big worldwide economic crisis helped authoritarian leaders come to power and started a Second World War. After 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union became the leading powers. This led to the Cold War, a long period of tension that ended with the fall of the Soviet Union. Today’s Information Age is shaped by the Internet and artificial intelligence, making the world more connected and linked together.

Habitat and population

Early humans lived near water and animals for food and land for growing crops. Today, humans use tools like irrigation and urban planning to change where they live, but sometimes face natural disasters.

Humans live almost everywhere on Earth, from warm rainforests to cold arctic areas, and even in space through research stations. The human population has grown fast, reaching eight billion in 2022. Most people live in Asia, with others in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Many live in cities, where pollution and crime can be problems.

Biology

Humans are adaptable creatures with special features. They have a complex body with teeth, thumbs they can touch, and a large brain. Humans have many genes that make each person look different and affect their health.

Humans reproduce through internal fertilization and have a gestation period of about 38 weeks. After birth, both mothers and fathers help take care of their children. Children grow slowly and reach maturity around 15 to 17 years old. The human lifespan varies, with genetics and lifestyle affecting how long someone lives. On average, women tend to live longer than men.

Humans are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet has changed over time, from hunting and gathering to farming and modern food production. These changes have shaped human biology and culture. Even though there is enough food in the world, uneven distribution causes both malnutrition and obesity in different areas.

Psychology

Main article: Psychology

The human brain helps us think, learn, and solve problems. It makes us different from other animals. Humans have a special part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex that helps us make good choices.

Humans are social and have many ways to show how we feel. We can remember things that happened before and imagine what might happen next. Sleep is very important for humans. Most people need about eight hours of sleep each night to feel good and healthy. When we sleep, we often have dreams that can feel very real.

Culture

Main articles: Culture and Cultural universal

Humans have special skills that help them create, learn, and share ideas. These skills let humans make tools, start fires, and talk using language. Learning from others helps keep traditions and cultures alive.

Main article: Language

Language is something only humans have. It lets people share ideas using words, signs, or writing. Humans can talk about things that are far away or not happening now, which helps them share thoughts and feelings.

Main article: The arts

Humans enjoy creating art in many ways, like painting, music, dancing, and storytelling. Art helps people express themselves, share stories, and bring groups together.

Main articles: Tool and Technology

Humans have used tools for millions of years. Making tools helped them shape fire, grow food, and build shelters. Over time, humans invented many things like the wheel, paper, and computers, changing how they live.

Main articles: Religion and Spirituality

Many humans believe in religions that help them understand life and the world. These beliefs can include ideas about life after death, the universe, and what is right or wrong. Different people have many kinds of religious beliefs.

Main articles: Science and Philosophy

Humans are good at sharing knowledge and learning new things. They use this knowledge to make discoveries and invent tools. Science helps humans understand the world through testing and observation. Philosophy is about thinking deeply about big questions about life and the universe.

Society

Main article: Society

Society is how people live together in groups. Humans are social and usually live in groups, from small families to large countries. People often join groups based on things like money, jobs, or social standing. These groups have changed over time, from small hunter-gatherer bands to modern nations.

Main article: Gender

In most human societies, people are grouped by whether they are male or female, called gender roles. These roles can include different behaviors, jobs, and rights for men and women. While these roles change over time, in many places men have historically had more rights than women. Some societies also recognize other gender identities.

Main article: Kinship

Humans organize relationships through family ties, like parents and children. These family connections help pass down traditions and property. Marriage and family bonds also shape social structures.

Main article: Ethnic group

People often feel connected to groups based on shared culture, language, history, or traditions. These groups are called ethnic groups and can influence how people see themselves and others. Ethnicity is different from race, which is based more on physical traits.

Main articles: Government and Politics

As communities grew, people needed ways to make decisions. This led to the creation of governments. There are many kinds of governments, from democracies where people vote, to other forms where power is in fewer hands. Many countries work together through international organizations like the United Nations.

Main articles: Trade and Economics

Trading goods and services has been important for humans for a long time. Early humans traded items like tools and food, which helped them survive. Over time, trade grew into complex networks, and money became a common way to exchange value.

Main article: Conflict (process)

Further information: War

Humans, like many animals, sometimes fight. Organized group fighting, or war, has been part of human history for a long time. While wars have caused many problems, efforts are being made to reduce conflicts.