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In 107,564 BCE, forty years before the last conflict between humanity and the Forerunners, a human expeditionary group encountered an ancient being held in hibernation on a planet near the galaxy's edges. Under [[Yprin Yprikushma]]'s orders, this being, known as the [[Primordial]], was placed in a [[stasis capsule]] and transported to [[Charum Hakkor]] for study.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} Human researchers found a way to communicate with the entity, asking in vain for answers to various scientific or moral questions, receiving no useful responses.<ref name="c271">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 271''</ref> Instead, the being revealed disconcerting truths about humanity's origins; this was believed by some to have caused the demoralization of human culture and thus contributed to their defeat against the Forerunners.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} They also inquired the Primordial about the Flood; the answers they received were so traumatizing that many committed suicide.{{Ref/Reuse|c271}} | In 107,564 BCE, forty years before the last conflict between humanity and the Forerunners, a human expeditionary group encountered an ancient being held in hibernation on a planet near the galaxy's edges. Under [[Yprin Yprikushma]]'s orders, this being, known as the [[Primordial]], was placed in a [[stasis capsule]] and transported to [[Charum Hakkor]] for study.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} Human researchers found a way to communicate with the entity, asking in vain for answers to various scientific or moral questions, receiving no useful responses.<ref name="c271">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 271''</ref> Instead, the being revealed disconcerting truths about humanity's origins; this was believed by some to have caused the demoralization of human culture and thus contributed to their defeat against the Forerunners.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} They also inquired the Primordial about the Flood; the answers they received were so traumatizing that many committed suicide.{{Ref/Reuse|c271}} | ||
After a certain point, the Flood's rampage throughout human territory stopped. The Flood no longer infected humans and instead began to rapidly die out, with both humans and Forerunners sterilizing the remaining infestations.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 36-37''</ref> Based on this pattern, the Forerunners | After a certain point, the Flood's rampage throughout human territory stopped. The Flood no longer infected humans and instead began to rapidly die out, with both humans and Forerunners sterilizing the remaining infestations.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 36-37''</ref> Based on this pattern, the Forerunners came to the conclusion that humanity had discovered a cure for the Flood: according to Forerunner records, the humans sacrificed a third of their total population, implanting them with destructive, artificially programmed genes used to target the Flood on a genetic level. In reality, however, the Flood had receded by its own volition after the sacrifice; no truly functioning cure was ever created or used by humanity,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 367''</ref> though both Forerunners and humans themselves remained under such illusion.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 53''</ref> | ||
Stretched thin due to fighting two wars at once, the humans were finally driven to their capital of Charum Hakkor. After [[Battle of Charum Hakkor|holding off for fifty-three years]] they were defeated at the hands of the Forerunners, led by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]].<ref name="c267">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 267-272''</ref> Before the fall of Charum Hakkor some humans suggested they should draw out the Flood and use it against the Forerunners. However, this strategy was denied, as the human leadership chose to face defeat rather than | Stretched thin due to fighting two wars at once, the humans were finally driven to their capital of Charum Hakkor. After [[Battle of Charum Hakkor|holding off for fifty-three years]] they were defeated at the hands of the Forerunners, led by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]].<ref name="c267">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 267-272''</ref> Before the fall of Charum Hakkor some humans suggested they should draw out the Flood and use it against the Forerunners. However, this strategy was denied, as the human leadership chose to face defeat rather than allowing the Flood to spread.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 190''</ref> | ||
===Downfall=== | ===Downfall=== | ||
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As punishment for defying the Forerunners, nearly all of humanity was wiped out and the remnants and technological achievements of their civilization were extirpated. Furthermore, the surviving humans were subjected to a process of biological devolution;<ref name="c127">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 127''</ref><ref name="c25">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 25''</ref> live humans were forced to consciously experience an artificially induced reversion of their evolutionary process, to the point of their bodies transforming to their ancestral forms and eventually losing intelligence.<ref name="s42">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 42''</ref> The remnants of the human species were exiled to Earth, where they were overseen by the [[Librarian]]; while many Forerunners wanted to see humanity exterminated, the Librarian had always been considered their greatest protector.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 77''</ref> In only a thousand years, humanity recovered many of their prior forms, along with many new ones, due to the assistance of the Librarian and her ''[[geas]]'', as well as unknown factors not even the Librarian and her [[Lifeworker]]s could explain.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 45-47''</ref> Over twenty human species made recovery and formed separate populations on Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|c127}} including the [[Human|ha''manush'']], [[Neanderthal|k'ta''manush'']], [[B'ashamanune|b'asha''manush'']], and [[Florian|cha''manush'']].{{Ref/Reuse|c25}} This meddling was noted to have considerably distorted Earth's natural fossil records.{{Ref/Reuse|c127}} | As punishment for defying the Forerunners, nearly all of humanity was wiped out and the remnants and technological achievements of their civilization were extirpated. Furthermore, the surviving humans were subjected to a process of biological devolution;<ref name="c127">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 127''</ref><ref name="c25">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 25''</ref> live humans were forced to consciously experience an artificially induced reversion of their evolutionary process, to the point of their bodies transforming to their ancestral forms and eventually losing intelligence.<ref name="s42">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 42''</ref> The remnants of the human species were exiled to Earth, where they were overseen by the [[Librarian]]; while many Forerunners wanted to see humanity exterminated, the Librarian had always been considered their greatest protector.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 77''</ref> In only a thousand years, humanity recovered many of their prior forms, along with many new ones, due to the assistance of the Librarian and her ''[[geas]]'', as well as unknown factors not even the Librarian and her [[Lifeworker]]s could explain.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 45-47''</ref> Over twenty human species made recovery and formed separate populations on Earth,{{Ref/Reuse|c127}} including the [[Human|ha''manush'']], [[Neanderthal|k'ta''manush'']], [[B'ashamanune|b'asha''manush'']], and [[Florian|cha''manush'']].{{Ref/Reuse|c25}} This meddling was noted to have considerably distorted Earth's natural fossil records.{{Ref/Reuse|c127}} | ||
The Forerunner victory proved disastrous for the galaxy, as the humans destroyed all their research data and physical evidence concerning the Flood, including their supposed cure. [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]] speculated it may have been humanity's last act of revenge to leave the Forerunners unprepared to face the incoming threat that led to the firing of the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Reuse|c267}} The last human survivors on Charum Hakkor were subjected to thorough analysis and experimentation to discover their supposed Flood immunity; eventually, their patterns were extracted by [[Composer]]s and archived in machine storage, where the human essences would be incessantly scoured for a cure for thousands of years.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 43''</ref> | The Forerunner victory proved disastrous for the galaxy, as the humans destroyed all their research data and physical evidence concerning the Flood, including their supposed cure. [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]] speculated it may have been humanity's last act of revenge to leave the Forerunners unprepared to face the incoming threat that led to the firing of the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Reuse|c267}} The last human survivors on Charum Hakkor were subjected to thorough analysis and experimentation in order to discover their supposed Flood immunity; eventually, their patterns were extracted by [[Composer]]s and archived in machine storage, where the human essences would be incessantly scoured for a cure for thousands of years.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 43''</ref> | ||
The Librarian and Didact later learned that humanity had never developed a cure or a way to fend off the Flood. As the remnant of the [[Precursor]]s, the Flood sought to punish the Forerunners for destroying them and ensure that humanity obtained the [[Mantle]]. When the Forerunners retaliated against the humans for invading Forerunner worlds, the Flood predicted that the Forerunners would try to exterminate humanity. Of its own volition, the Flood abruptly receded from human territory, knowing that the humans would temporarily rebound and thus unknowingly deceive the Forerunners into thinking they may have developed a cure. This caused the Forerunners to restrain themselves from eradicating humanity and preserve a regressed remnant population since they needed living humans to study if their apparent Flood cure was to be found.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 259-261''</ref> | The Librarian and Didact later learned that humanity had never developed a cure or a way to fend off the Flood. As the remnant of the [[Precursor]]s, the Flood sought to punish the Forerunners for destroying them and ensure that humanity obtained the [[Mantle]]. When the Forerunners retaliated against the humans for invading Forerunner worlds, the Flood predicted that the Forerunners would try to exterminate humanity. Of its own volition, the Flood abruptly receded from human territory, knowing that the humans would temporarily rebound and thus unknowingly deceive the Forerunners into thinking they may have developed a cure. This caused the Forerunners to restrain themselves from eradicating humanity completely and preserve a regressed remnant population, since they needed living humans to study if their apparent Flood cure was to be found.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 259-261''</ref> | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
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===Rediscovery=== | ===Rediscovery=== | ||
For much of humanity's history | For much of humanity's history prior to the mid-26th century, virtually all artifacts and records of their former civilization had been lost to time. However, in the mid 2550s, after the [[Human-Covenant War]] had ended, small but significant discoveries began to trickle in about humanity's powerful past. On [[Heian]], ruins were found resembling a wide variety of human styles, including Greco-Roman, Middle Eastern, and East Asian, with subtle Forerunner themes. The [[Department of Xenoarchaeological Studies]] at the [[University of Edinburgh]] found the obvious elements of human architecture in the structures puzzling, wondering if their builders borrowed from human architecture or the other way around.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal''</ref> The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] discovered one derelict ancient human vessel at [[Site Yankee-002-G3]]. The [[Xeno-Materials Exploitation Group]] examined the artifact in [[ONI XENO-MATERIALS EXPLOITATION REPORT 15Y1198]] and assessed its tactical capabilities. Their report recommended that further analysis of the ship should be immediately assigned to [[Project ARC DREAM]] and noted that investigation of its weaponry was already underway by a team on [[AZURE MOON]].<ref name=wf/> | ||
Records of prehistoric humanity began to be encountered as well. On [[Onyx]], an artifact referred to as the [[Halo: Cryptum|Bornstellar Relation]] gave a testimony of the life of the Forerunner [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]], including the knowledge that humanity had once been a Tier 1 species.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 230''</ref> This account was complemented by the testimony of the remains of [[343 Guilty Spark]], who related to listening scientists about his life as the prehistoric human [[Chakas]].<ref name="EH">'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''', ''part 4''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 376-379''</ref> | Records of prehistoric humanity began to be encountered as well. On [[Onyx]], an artifact referred to as the [[Halo: Cryptum|Bornstellar Relation]] gave a testimony of the life of the Forerunner [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]], including the knowledge that humanity had once been a Tier 1 species.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 230''</ref> This account was complemented by the testimony of the remains of [[343 Guilty Spark]], who related to listening scientists about his life as the prehistoric human [[Chakas]].<ref name="EH">'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''', ''part 4''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 376-379''</ref> | ||
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==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
Little is known about human culture of this time. According to the [[Ur-Didact]], humanity believed themselves to be the true inheritors of the [[Mantle|Mantle of Responsibility]], a notion the Forerunners considered heretical.{{Ref/Reuse|c112}} Ironically, the Precursors had intended for humans to inherit the Mantle instead of the Forerunners.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 364''</ref> Regardless of the pressure on their growing populations and the Flood, humans were also said to be particularly cruel toward other species. [[Chakas]], examining the harvested memories of his ancestors imprinted to him as part of a ''[[geas]]'', discovered that they believed in "creating many souls", or expanding their population by conquering and claiming other worlds.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 130''</ref> | Little is known about human culture of this time. According to the [[Ur-Didact]], humanity believed themselves to be the true inheritors of the [[Mantle|Mantle of Responsibility]], a notion the Forerunners considered heretical.{{Ref/Reuse|c112}} Ironically, the Precursors had actually intended for humans to inherit the Mantle instead of the Forerunners.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 364''</ref> Regardless of the pressure on their growing populations and the Flood, humans were also said to be particularly cruel toward other species. [[Chakas]], examining the harvested memories of his ancestors imprinted to him as part of a ''[[geas]]'', discovered that they believed in "creating many souls", or expanding their population by conquering and claiming other worlds.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 130''</ref> | ||
The humans of this time were willing to forge relations and alliances with other sapient species as evidenced by their alliance with the San'Shyuum, who shared their disdain for the Forerunners. This bond deepened over time, with the two species co-inhabiting worlds and creating political and cultural centers along the galactic periphery.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P26|Enc22|Page=26}} | The humans of this time were willing to forge relations and alliances with other sapient species as evidenced by their alliance with the San'Shyuum, who shared their disdain for the Forerunners. This bond deepened over time, with the two species co-inhabiting worlds and creating political and cultural centers along the galactic periphery.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P26|Enc22|Page=26}} | ||
In contrast to the Forerunners, their attentions were drawn to the interleaving of dimensions and weaving of exotic force rather than applications of macro-engineering. They were considered the undisputed masters of scientific synthesis, collaborating with their kind and other sapient species to exploit unique languages, outlooks, and intuitions into a greater whole and more complete understanding of universal principles, a tradition that would endure the long passage of time.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P27|Enc22|Page=27}} | In contrast to the Forerunners, their attentions were drawn to the interleaving of dimensions and weaving of exotic force rather than applications of macro-engineering. They were considered the undisputed masters of scientific synthesis, collaborating with their own kind and other sapient species to exploit unique languages, outlooks, and intuitions into a greater whole and more complete understanding of universal principles, a tradition that would endure the long passage of time.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P27|Enc22|Page=27}} | ||
After centuries of constant warfare against the Forerunners and the Flood, human society had become exceedingly militarized; military officials wielded significant decision-making power, some military offices (namely that of the Political and Morale Commander) doubling as political leadership. During the siege of Charum Hakkor, even human children were organized into their defensive guards.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 41''</ref> | After centuries of constant warfare against the Forerunners and the Flood, human society had become exceedingly militarized; military officials wielded significant decision-making power, some military offices (namely that of the Political and Morale Commander) doubling as political leadership. During the siege of Charum Hakkor, even human children were organized into their own defensive guards.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 41''</ref> | ||
Officers of the ancient human fleets sported various kinds of white facial markings and typically had long hair. Warship crew members wore unadorned, form-fitting suits of body armor, apparently lacking any markings or other features denoting rank,<ref name="h4terminals">'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''</ref> although more elaborate uniforms existed, possibly for ceremonial occasions.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 302''</ref> | Officers of the ancient human fleets sported various kinds of white facial markings and typically had long hair. Warship crew members wore unadorned, form-fitting suits of body armor, apparently lacking any markings or other features denoting rank,<ref name="h4terminals">'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''</ref> although more elaborate uniforms existed, possibly for ceremonial occasions.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 302''</ref> | ||
At least some ancient humans practiced a polytheistic religion, including the [[Forthencho|Lord of Admirals]].<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 320''</ref> The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] noted that humans had a tendency | At least some ancient humans practiced a polytheistic religion, including the [[Forthencho|Lord of Admirals]].<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 320''</ref> The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] noted that humans had a tendency of worshiping inanimate objects, including [[Precursor]] artifacts.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 228''</ref> In addition, the humans believed in the teaching of [[Daowa-maad|Daowa-maadthu]], a concept at the center of their beliefs and practices, a reference to the cyclical pattern of trial and growth witnessed over time and often referred to as the roll and tug of the universe on the individual and those within it.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P26}} This system was exemplified for the ancient humans when a strange powder was discovered aboard mysterious derelict starships that would lead to the devastating civilization-spanning outbreak known as the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 56''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P26}} | ||
The humans, along with their [[San'Shyuum]] allies, favored the domesticated [[Pheru]], originating from the planet [[Faun Hakkor]], as pets. The Pheru would also be the first vectors for the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 131''</ref> | The humans, along with their [[San'Shyuum]] allies, favored the domesticated [[Pheru]], originating from the planet [[Faun Hakkor]], as pets. The Pheru would also be the first vectors for the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 131''</ref> | ||
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==Technology== | ==Technology== | ||
[[File:H4-Terminal-Forthencho-Fleet.jpg|thumb|250px|A prehistoric human space fleet preparing to sterilize a Forerunner planet during the initial Flood conflict.]] | [[File:H4-Terminal-Forthencho-Fleet.jpg|thumb|250px|A prehistoric human space fleet preparing to sterilize a Forerunner planet during the initial Flood conflict.]] | ||
In the decades | In the decades prior to the dismantling of their civilization, humans were technological equals of the Forerunners in many areas, likely placing them on Tier 1 on the Forerunner [[Technological Achievement Tiers|technological achievement scale]]. This was largely thanks to the efforts of Yprin Yprikushma, who encouraged humanity to study Forerunner technologies encountered in earlier conflicts with Forerunners.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} Despite this, the Forerunners' technological achievements still overshadowed those of humanity in many fields, including [[Astroengineering|megascale engineering]] and [[slipspace]] technology. For example, the humans were seemingly unable to construct megastructures on the scale of a [[Halo Array|Halo installation]],<ref name="p257">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 257''</ref> and their understanding of space-time reconciliation was inferior to that of the Forerunners, who were able to use their superior understanding of slipspace to an advantage by clogging the humans' slipspace channels and slowing their interstellar travel.<ref name="prim240">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 240''</ref> | ||
Humans of this time used [[artificial intelligence]] constructs known as [[servitor]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 34''</ref> These robotic intelligences assisted human scientists in reverse-engineering Forerunner technologies during the Forerunner wars, nearly bridging the technological gap between the two civilizations.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} On Charum Hakkor, the humans built vast constructs supported by the Precursor structures; cities stretching to orbit along [[orbital arch]]es, described by [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]] as resembling ivy growing on great trees. In addition, they built energy towers and defense platforms operating at [[geosynchronous orbit]] and equigravitation,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 164''</ref> linked by virtually unbreakable Precursor [[Star road|filaments]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 118''</ref> Many human worlds were encompassed by vast railway networks, a technological achievement Forthencho took pride in.{{Ref/Reuse|p257}} | Humans of this time used [[artificial intelligence]] constructs known as [[servitor]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 34''</ref> These robotic intelligences assisted human scientists in reverse-engineering Forerunner technologies during the Forerunner wars, nearly bridging the technological gap between the two civilizations.{{Ref/Reuse|prim237}} On Charum Hakkor, the humans built vast constructs supported by the Precursor structures; cities stretching to orbit along [[orbital arch]]es, described by [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]] as resembling ivy growing on great trees. In addition, they built energy towers and defense platforms operating at [[geosynchronous orbit]] and equigravitation,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 164''</ref> linked by virtually unbreakable Precursor [[Star road|filaments]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 118''</ref> Many human worlds were encompassed by vast railway networks, a technological achievement Forthencho took pride in.{{Ref/Reuse|p257}} |