Human: Difference between revisions
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=== Evolution === | === Evolution === | ||
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-India-South-Asia.png|thumb|250px|[[Earth]]]] | [[File:Elite-Dangerous-India-South-Asia.png|thumb|250px|[[Earth]]]] | ||
The human species (Homo sapiens) evolved from apelike ancestor over the course of 6 million years BCE (Before Common Era). Scientific evidence shows that humans and the great apes have a common ancestor that existed 8 to 6 million years BCE. Earth's African continent is where much of human evolution occurred. Fossils dating from 6 to 2 million years BCE originate only in Africa.<ref name=":0">[http://humanorigins.si.edu/education/introduction-human-evolution Introduction to Human Evolution - Smithsonian] | The human species (Homo sapiens) evolved from apelike ancestor over the course of 6 million years BCE (Before Common Era). Scientific evidence shows that humans and the great apes have a common ancestor that existed 8 to 6 million years BCE. Earth's African continent is where much of human evolution occurred. Fossils dating from 6 to 2 million years BCE originate only in Africa.<ref name=":0">[http://humanorigins.si.edu/education/introduction-human-evolution Introduction to Human Evolution - Smithsonian]</ref> | ||
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A defining human trait to walk on two legs (bipedalism) evolved 4 million years BCE. Other human characteristics like a complex brain, using tools and capacity for language developed much later. Advanced human traits such as art, cultural diversity and symbolic expression developed during the last 100,000 years BCE.<ref name=":0" /> | A defining human trait to walk on two legs (bipedalism) evolved 4 million years BCE. Other human characteristics like a complex brain, using tools and capacity for language developed much later. Advanced human traits such as art, cultural diversity and symbolic expression developed during the last 100,000 years BCE.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
=== Agriculture === | === Agriculture === | ||
During much of human history, people lived hunter-gatherer lifestyles. The invention of agriculture in 12,000 BCE allowed people to live in permanent settlements which became cities and civilizations. Food | During much of human history, people lived hunter-gatherer lifestyles. The invention of agriculture in 12,000 BCE allowed people to live in permanent settlements which became cities and civilizations. As agriculture secured people's primary needs for food, this allowed attention to be focused on other things, like science, trade, technology, art, and innovation. Food production gradually expanded and fueled steady population growth, allowing Earth's population to swell from 5 million in 8,000 BCE to a peak of 8 billion by the start of early space colonization in the 21st century CE.<ref>[https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/development-of-agriculture/ The Development of Agriculture - National Geographic]</ref> The devastation of [[World War III]] between 2044 and 2055 reduced the human population by over one billion and rendered much of Earth unsuitable for agriculture for a time, but humanity's spread to other worlds, plus the development of advanced automation, hydroponics, and [[terraforming]], permitted the total human population to exceed 6.6 trillion by the 34th century. | ||
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=== Commerce === | === Commerce === | ||
The demand of individuals and businesses to trade easily led to innovations in commerce and finance. In | The demand of individuals and businesses to trade easily led to innovations in commerce and finance. In 9,000 BCE people bartered goods they had in surplus for things they lacked, such as cattle, sheep, vegetables and grain. The first known currency was created by King Alyattes in the ancient kingdom of Lydia, modern-day Turkey, in 600 BCE. The first coin ever minted featured a roaring lion design. Bank notes were developed in around 1661 AD. An advantage of paper money was that it could be mass-produced without relying on rare or expensive raw materials like gold and silver; in spite of this, its value is more unstable than precious metals. The first credit card was introduced in 1946. The first decentralized digital currency, Bitcoin, was invented in 2009 and wireless payments gained popularity. The invention of money and commerce has been essential to developing trade networks, fostering cooperation and understanding between different cultures and peoples across Earth.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/money/11174013/The-history-of-money-from-barter-to-bitcoin.html The history of money: from barter to bitcoin - Telegraph.co.uk] | ||
</ref> Entrepreneurship and innovation lead to the Industrial Revolution, starting in Western Europe in 1760 AD, and the Digital Revolution in 1970 AD with inventions like digital electronics. Commerce brought people and [[countries]] together through mutual cooperation, division of labour and trade. | </ref> Entrepreneurship and innovation lead to the Industrial Revolution, starting in Western Europe in 1760 AD, and the Digital Revolution in 1970 AD with inventions like digital electronics. Commerce brought people and [[countries]] together through mutual cooperation, division of labour and trade. | ||