From the dawn of agriculture to well into modern times, peasants have outnumbered everybody else by as much as 20 to one. Peasants are farmers who feed themselves and provide excess crops to someone else, typically as tax, rent or tribute to a temple or nobleman. They may sell leftovers for cash or useful goods. Despite poverty and low status, peasants endure as specialists in taking care of themselves. While not so skilled as full-time professionals, they can build their own houses, make their own clothes, supplement their crops with foraged and hunted food and take care of most other needs.