section_path: History/Pre-Linnaean/Early taxonomists
section_name: Early taxonomists
paragraph_text: Early taxonomists
  
  Naming and classifying human surroundings likely began with the onset of language. Distinguishing poisonous plants from edible plants is integral to the survival of human communities. Medicinal plant illustrations show up in Egyptian wall paintings from c. 1500 BC, indicating that the uses of different species were understood and that a basic taxonomy was in place.