Human: Difference between revisions

{{Main|Prehistoric human civilization|Erde-Tyrene civilization}}

Humanity achieved an advanced state early in its history, well over [[1,100,000 BCE]],<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 67-68''</ref> when their earliest, long-forgotten cultures attained space travel and spread across many worlds. The latest of these early civilizations, having risen to power around [[150,000 BCE]] after a series of technological dark ages,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 237-238''</ref> eventually reached a level of technological sophistication close to that of the [[Forerunner]]s. Humans of this era were on average larger and superior to modern humans in many respects, including intelligence and physical strength.{{Ref/Reuse|wp hum}} Humanity resented Forerunner dominion over the galaxy, and as a result expanded their civilization outward along the [[Orion Arm]] and across the galactic margin, away from the Forerunners' sphere of influence. This civilization formed [[Human-San'Shyuum alliance|an alliance]] with the [[San'Shyuum]] and later [[Human-Flood war|warred against]] the nascent [[Flood]]. While humanity lost a third of their population, the Flood was eventually driven out of the galaxy. However, the conflict led to [[Human-Forerunner war|a war with the Forerunners]], a war which humanity lost. As punishment, the humans were stripped of their technology, nearly all evidence of their civilization was erased from the galaxy, and the scattered remnants of their species were exiled to their homeworld, genetically "devolved" to more primitive forms and reduced to a pre-technological state from which they would be forced to start again.{{Ref/Reuse|cryptum}}

Humanity was one of many species indexed by the [[Librarian]] and preserved during the [[Conservation Measure]]. Viewing humanity as special, the Librarian imposed a ''[[geas]]'' upon the species, which has been said to have greatly affected their development; in particular preparing humans for their role as [[Reclaimer|successors]] to the Forerunners as stewards of the galaxy.<ref>''Halo: Primordium'', p. 375</ref> Although the bulk of the indexed human population - as well as many of the formerly diverse human species - were lost when the [[Ur-Didact]] used the [[Composer]] on the inhabitants of [[Omega Halo]], the Librarian and her successor, [[Chant-to-Green]], managed to save enough specimens to successfully revitalize ''Homo sapiens'' and several other species.{{Ref/Reuse|silentium}} Following the firing of the [[Halo Array]], the surviving humans were [[reintroduction|returned]] to Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|rebirth}} being the first species the Forerunners reintroduced.<ref>''[[Halo: Fractures]]'', "[[Promises to Keep]]", p. 84-85</ref>

===Early post-Great Purification recovery===

Circa [[97,445 BCE]], humans were returned to Earth and watched as the [[Portal at Voi]] was buried. [[N'chala]], one of the ancient humans, left an [[Out-of-place handprint]].<ref>''[[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life]]''</ref> Societies began developing from then on. One of the earliest known societies founded was around the 5th Millennium BCE, when [[Egypt]] was formed.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', p. 296 (2011)</ref>  

===Formation of the UN and deepening ties===

In [[1945]], the [[United Nations]] was founded.<ref name="encyctimeline"/> 16 years later, Soviet cosmonaut [[Wikipedia:Yuri Gagarin|Yuri Gagarin]] would be the first human being to orbit the Earth.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', Human Colonization of Space, p. 42</ref> Eight years after that, human beings would take their first steps on [[Luna]].{{Ref/Reuse|encyctimeline}} During the Cold War, the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile was first created.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', p. 329</ref> During the [[Wikipedia:Vietnam War|Vietnam War]], war photography was used to sway public opinion.{{Ref/Reuse|jakecouragexbox}}  

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==Technology==

Prior to the [[human-Forerunner wars]], humanity had [[Prehistoric human civilization|achieved]] a remarkably advanced technological state, having developed interstellar travel, colonized thousands of worlds outside of their solar system,{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Primordium|Page=129}} and even having an understanding of [[Precursor]] technology. However, nearly all records and examples of this former technology were obliterated following their war with the Forerunners. Humanity managed to develop rudimentary technology such as steam power roughly nine thousand years after their defeat.{{Ref/Reuse|cryptum}} Unfortunately, this technological and cultural development proved to be in vain: during a phase after the [[Conservation Measure]]'s [[reintroduction]] stage, aptly termed as the [[dark time]],{{Ref/Reuse|bestiarum}} the species regressed back into hunter-gatherers for over 90,000 years until the development of the modern human civilizations first began.

===Medical advances and biotechnology===

Humanity has mastered a number of medical technologies, improving the quality of life in general but also providing many military applications. Among the most prominent is [[flash cloning]], which allows the re-growth of almost any body part and is often used to replace damaged or lost organs.<ref>''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe'', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", page 461</ref> Lost limbs may also be replaced with advanced [[artificial limb|mechanical prosthetics]].{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Contact Harvest|Page=81}} Humans have been effectively immunized against some conventional diseases, including [[cancer]]. Though isolated cases of cancer still occur, they can be easily treated.<ref name="midlothian">''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe'',"[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]"</ref> Medical science has resolved most issues with eyesight, although some people choose to wear glasses for a variety of reasons, among them the ability to use them to project a [[heads-up display]].<ref>[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-4-16-14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 4.16.14'']</ref>

===Space-faring===

{{Main|Human starship}}

During the mid-20th century, humanity experimented with rocket technology using it to build satellites and visit and subsequently colonize the [[Luna|Moon]] and beyond in the latter half of the 21st century. With the advent of [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]s allowing faster-than-light travel, the UNSC was able to expand well beyond the confines of the [[Sol system|Solar System]], colonizing hundreds of worlds. UNSC [[freighter]]s transport food and goods between colonies, while UNSC Navy warships protect trade routes from [[Piracy|pirates]] and defend colonies from enemy assault. [[Space elevator]]s are used on many worlds to provide orbital transport. Advanced [[terraforming]] and climate control techniques have been developed, making human habitation possible even in many formerly hostile environments.

===Weapons===

While still primarily based on projectiles and chemical reactions, human weapons are more advanced than the weapons of the 21st century. They come with a variety of electronic gadgets such as ammo readouts and are significantly more reliable, seldom malfunctioning. They are also generally immune to [[electromagnetic pulse]]s. Still, there have been many advanced developments, such as electromagnetic accelerator weapons. The most prominent of these is the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]], used as the main armament on UNSC warships, and in smaller form in ground-based weapons. Another electromagnetic weapon system, known as the [[railgun]], is used to a lesser degree. There have been developments in [[Directed energy weapon|energy weapons]] such as the [[Spartan Laser]] and the [[XEV9-Matos nonlinear pulse cannon|pulse lasers]] used on [[UNSC prowler]]s. Advances in technology allow the development of highly efficient explosive devices, including the [[Lancet micro-missile]]s, capable of decimating main battle tanks.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo page 16}}