‘Homo sapiens’: who are we? Essential traits of our species

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the characteristics of current humans based on their origin. The objective is to characterise the biological and cultural evolution of humans within the evolutionary framework of the species in our genus. We organise hierarchically the characteristics that tell us apart from other species in the animal kingdom: manufacturing a wide range of tools, controlling fire, language, funeral rites, etc. We have to discover whether the increase in complexity is exclusive to our species or is a process that other species have already experienced or will experience in the future.