Final answer:
Carl Linnaeus was the scientist who first described the Genus Homo and its species Homo sapiens around 300 years ago in his work, 'Systema Naturae'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Genus Homo and its species Homo sapiens were first described around three hundred years ago by Carl Linnaeus. It was in 1758 that Linnaeus included humans in his systematic taxonomy in the book 'Systema Naturae', where he actually used the term 'Homo sapiens' for the first time. He recognized our species in the context of a broader system of classification. Homo sapiens, the species name he assigned, stands for 'wise man' in Latin, reflecting the human species' unique intellectual abilities. Over the long course of evolution, our ancestors developed sophisticated tools, learned how to control fire, and used various materials to create shelters and clothing, which ultimately allowed them to inhabit a wide range of ecological niches.