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  • Subject: Humanity, Forerunners and Precursors: Lineage.
Subject: Humanity, Forerunners and Precursors: Lineage.
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I have always had a interest in Halo lore because it's just amazing. Recently, I read a theory by Wolverfrog which was very interesting and seemed quite valid. His central premise is that Humanity is the descendants of the Precursors. Which in fact makes quite a bit of sense, however his theory had a few unexplained holes (which I have no intention of filling, as I know of no information capable of doing so). He proposed a lot of 'what ifs' because thats all we can do with the currently available lore. So, I will do the same thing, but with my own (and similar) opinion. I have no intention of detracting from his theories, only trying to add to them.

As we all know the time line of Empires in the Haloverse goes as such:
Precursor->Forerunner->Humanity.
We have also been told that the Humans are Reclaimers to the forerunners (Guilty Spark 343). The Forerunners being the ones to create the Halos and the Arc.
We also know that the Librarian (a Forerunner) discovered a planet that had sentient denizens that required research. Most people agree (from what I've read) that this planet is most likely earth, and as such the denizens were early stages of humans.
The Forerunners (more specifically the Librarian) chose these denizens to become the reclaimers because of a special quality that could 'only be understood by being there.' (Paraphrased).
This therefore proves (or at least provides evidence) that Humans are not Forerunner, but their adopted heirs.

Now, in the books (not sure which, haven't read them, but from my understanding of their quotes on forums) there is an instances where a Fred 104 (I think) finds a artifact of Forerunner decent (or so he perceives) and has a 'frustratingly familiar' feeling about it.
The Forerunners only built one artifact on Earth, the gate to the Arc, which was never found by humans until the Covenant dug it up. Therefore, I find it unlikely that this feeling of Fred 104 is due to Forerunner interaction.
I believe a more likely theory is that it is indeed due to Precursors interaction. Or Inter-relation.
I'm not talking Genetic Memory here, as the memory wouldn't exist. But something more along the lines of 'This is our future, before we actualize it' type scenario.

Wolverfrog's theory states that Humanity is descendants of the Precursors after a massive cataclysm that wiped them out, and that Earth was one of their colonies or perhaps their home world. This is where my biggest concern with that theory is: why are there no Precursor artifacts found on Earth?

An easy explanation is the Precursors were not from Earth, nor the Milky Way, but from a different galaxy or perhaps dimension. (I've seen a lot of speculation about that, I personally don't know of the resources to confirm it, but the Precursors are know to have technology [In the area of time/dimensional travel] far beyond that of Forerunners. And the Forerunners had some damn good tech).
Also we know that the Precursors had the technology required to create life, and accelerate evolution.
I prepose that the Precursors did have a cataclysmic event occur, that lead to their downfall. That event being the creation of the flood.
However, this occurred long ago, in a galaxy (or dimension) far, far away, and as a last resort (perhaps after attempting a solution similar to the Forerunners) they created a new life from.
They based it solely off their own species, before they had begun tampering with evolutionary acceleration.
So they would then have the ability to restart their own race if they were to perish.

Now we can assume they had the ability to create planets (the Forerunners could) but with much more precision than the Forerunners.
So here is my second proposal: What if the Precursors had enough knowledge of their race and evolution that they could exactly recreate their origins. Create a planet in a identical solar system, where identical events would transpire as did in theirs during its creation. Thus creating a new 'Micro-verse' in which they would begin anew.
There would be mild changes of course due to random event, but the evolutionary chain would remain more-or-less in tact (until contact with the covenant [which even still could be precursor design]).
This new 'Micro-verse' being the Human solar system. Therefore making Humanity the Precursors (version 1.0). But with no knowledge of the events that lead to the downfall of the Precursors.
In essence the Precursors could have created a clone species.
Replicating events would not be all to difficult, simply make an identical solar system, and have a massive asteroid collide with the planet at a given time.
Or even just start the world timeline when Humans began to prosper, and throw in some fossils that would prove to Humans that the planet had prior history. (Hey look its like modern Theology!)

Then Humanity evolves the way the Precursors had. However, there is another species in the Haloverse, that rises to power in between the Precursors and Humanity. The Forerunners. (The Forerunners could also have been Precursor design, to give the Humans the necessary technology to defeat the Flood [or at least suppress]).
These Forerunners discover Precursor technology (as Humans later find Forerunner technology) and thus grow to what we know (or think) them to be.
The Forerunners also discover the flood. And being less advanced than the Precursors, receive the fate that the lore tells us they receive. However, in there final years they find the Sol System that holds the Precursors final legacy.
The Librarian, I wouldn't say realizes, but understands that the Humans are something beyond the Forerunners, and as the Forerunners final legacy protects Humanity.

Guilty Spark 343 comes to a similar understanding the Master Chief (as a Human) is the Final Legacy, and Inheritor not just to the Forerunners, but to the legacy of the race the Forerunners based their technology off, a Precursory legacy.

Humans therefore ARE Precursor, but of a different 'Micro-verse' and the adopted heir to the Forerunner because they are the remnants the race that the Forerunners inherited their technology from.

All of this is purely based on information I have read from Forums, received through the Halo games, and Bungie sites. I know it won't be perfect, a Theory never is. But I hope some one more knowledgeable than me in these matters, can read it over and hopefully find something of interest and sensibility that they had yet to think of.


Thank you to every one who reads this.
Any criticism (WITH EXPLANATION) are welcome. Don't just say 'No you're wrong', instead try 'Sorry, but this part is incorrect as demonstrated by [evidence]'.
The purpose of forums is not to flame, but to help contribute to the communities understanding and enjoyment.
Thanks again!
~Modest Too~

~~Edit was due to me accidentally clicking 'Submit' rather than 'Preview'.~~
*However there may be future edits as well.

[Edited on 12.30.2010 1:50 PM PST]

  • 12.30.2010 1:48 PM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact

Read the forerunner trilogy and read the 2 chapters online.

  • 12.30.2010 1:55 PM PDT

The Forerunner, the Great Journey, and Heaven Theory

[Announcement Trailer] Halo: Forerunner

Posted by: Agustus
I lol'd at the absurd miscommunication that occurs whenever dibbs post something. Perhaps his brain is so highly evolved that he can no longer clearly communicate with lesser life forms, even among his own species.

Posted by: modest too
We also know that the Librarian (a Forerunner) discovered a planet that had sentient denizens that required research. Most people agree (from what I've read) that this planet is most likely earth, and as such the denizens were early stages of humans.
The Forerunners (more specifically the Librarian) chose these denizens to become the reclaimers because of a special quality that could 'only be understood by being there.' (Paraphrased).
This therefore proves (or at least provides evidence) that Humans are not Forerunner, but their adopted heirs.
The first two chapters of a new book about the Forerunner (called Halo: Cryptum due to come out Jan 4th) states that Humanity was actually at the same technological level as the Forerunner, went to war with them, lost, and were subsequently "devolved" by the Forerunner. The Forerunner knew about humanity (and we of them) long before the Librarian began her cataloging mission. Based on those two chapters it seems human DNA is almost identical to Forerunner DNA and that many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs.

We'll have to wait until January 4th to see what becomes of this but you can read the first two chapters now.

Chapter One can be found here (you have to register with the site to read it but it's free).

Chapter two can be found here.

  • 12.30.2010 2:43 PM PDT
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If you think nobody cares about you, miss some car payments.
Hard work never hurt anyone, but why take the chance.
The first sign of maturity is that the volume knob also turns to the left.

New Gamertag and profile: SHENANIGANS4780

Since it seems that the account didn't transfer, that's my new account everyone.

Pretty good read. I'd recommend reading the two chapters listed above, I also made a thread about a possible human history and future, I can get you the link if you want to check that out.

  • 12.30.2010 7:02 PM PDT
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just read the Cryptum chapters recently, kinda put a halt to my whole theory lol. and ya I'd love to see any threads on haloverse history or perhaps an unknow AI named Joyeuse.

  • 12.30.2010 7:07 PM PDT
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If you think nobody cares about you, miss some car payments.
Hard work never hurt anyone, but why take the chance.
The first sign of maturity is that the volume knob also turns to the left.

New Gamertag and profile: SHENANIGANS4780

Since it seems that the account didn't transfer, that's my new account everyone.

Alright I'll send ya the link, it's more conceptual than factual..

Bam. Scroll to the top of course

http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=54530476&p ostRepeater1-p=1#54586771

[Edited on 12.30.2010 7:17 PM PST]

  • 12.30.2010 7:13 PM PDT

Posted by: dibbs089
Posted by: modest too
We also know that the Librarian (a Forerunner) discovered a planet that had sentient denizens that required research. Most people agree (from what I've read) that this planet is most likely earth, and as such the denizens were early stages of humans.
The Forerunners (more specifically the Librarian) chose these denizens to become the reclaimers because of a special quality that could 'only be understood by being there.' (Paraphrased).
This therefore proves (or at least provides evidence) that Humans are not Forerunner, but their adopted heirs.
The first two chapters of a new book about the Forerunner (called Halo: Cryptum due to come out Jan 4th) states that Humanity was actually at the same technological level as the Forerunner, went to war with them, lost, and were subsequently "devolved" by the Forerunner. The Forerunner knew about humanity (and we of them) long before the Librarian began her cataloging mission. Based on those two chapters it seems human DNA is almost identical to Forerunner DNA and that many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs.

We'll have to wait until January 4th to see what becomes of this but you can read the first two chapters now.

Chapter One can be found here (you have to register with the site to read it but it's free).

Chapter two can be found here.


1-Humanity was still technologically inferior to the forerunners.

2-Humanity being related to the forerunners was only a theory developed by an Elder lifeshaper

3- many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs.
So, so terribly wrong. Where is the book stating this? Page and paragraph, please.

  • 12.30.2010 7:32 PM PDT

Posted by: sharku57
Posted by: dibbs089
Posted by: modest too
We also know that the Librarian (a Forerunner) discovered a planet that had sentient denizens that required research. Most people agree (from what I've read) that this planet is most likely earth, and as such the denizens were early stages of humans.
The Forerunners (more specifically the Librarian) chose these denizens to become the reclaimers because of a special quality that could 'only be understood by being there.' (Paraphrased).
This therefore proves (or at least provides evidence) that Humans are not Forerunner, but their adopted heirs.
The first two chapters of a new book about the Forerunner (called Halo: Cryptum due to come out Jan 4th) states that Humanity was actually at the same technological level as the Forerunner, went to war with them, lost, and were subsequently "devolved" by the Forerunner. The Forerunner knew about humanity (and we of them) long before the Librarian began her cataloging mission. Based on those two chapters it seems human DNA is almost identical to Forerunner DNA and that many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs.

We'll have to wait until January 4th to see what becomes of this but you can read the first two chapters now.

Chapter One can be found here (you have to register with the site to read it but it's free).

Chapter two can be found here.


1-Humanity was still technologically inferior to the forerunners.

2-Humanity being related to the forerunners was only a theory developed by an Elder lifeshaper

3- many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs.
So, so terribly wrong. Where is the book stating this? Page and paragraph, please.


Actually the book said "Forerunner sages thought humans might be a brethren species, also shaped and given breath by the Precursors"

  • 12.30.2010 8:57 PM PDT

The Forerunner, the Great Journey, and Heaven Theory

[Announcement Trailer] Halo: Forerunner

Posted by: Agustus
I lol'd at the absurd miscommunication that occurs whenever dibbs post something. Perhaps his brain is so highly evolved that he can no longer clearly communicate with lesser life forms, even among his own species.

Posted by: sharku57
1-Humanity was still technologically inferior to the forerunners.

2-Humanity being related to the forerunners was only a theory developed by an Elder lifeshaper

3- many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs.
So, so terribly wrong. Where is the book stating this? Page and paragraph, please.


Page number...right... You do realize this was all posted online and you had to scroll through the entire text; or did you not read the chapters?

1. This was a supposition on my part but the Forerunner would't start a war with a species unless it posed a threat. Since humanity was capable of interstellar travel, it was at least a Tier 3 species. However, there isn't a single piece of evidence to suggest your supposition; that humanity was inferior technologically, either. (Losing a war does not mean they are technologically inferior, things like leadership could have played a role as well). Simply put, we don't know if they were equal to the Forerunner or not.

2. Never did I say humanity being related to the Precursors/Forerunner wasn't a Forerunner theory. In fact, I literally said "many Forerunner believe both species to be Precursor constructs." Try reading the post next time.

3. We had achieved the greatest heights of technology and physical knowledge, at least since the time of the Precursors, who, some say, shaped us in their image, and rewarded that image with their breath.
Because of strong similarities in our natural genetic structure, some Forerunner sages thought humans might be a brethren species, also shaped and given breath by the Precursors. It was possible the Librarian was intent on testing those theories.
Precursors were powerful. They drew lines across many skies. Some say that long ago they shaped Forerunners in their image. I'd quote more but I think you get the point. Next time why don't you try actually reading the material before making a fool out of yourself, k?

[Edited on 12.31.2010 1:55 AM PST]

  • 12.31.2010 1:52 AM PDT