Homo habilis

Homo habilis
Temporal range: Pliocene-Pleistocene
Scientific classification
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H. habilis
Binomial name
Homo habilis
Leakey et al., 1964

Homo habilis (Latin: "handy man") is an extinct early ancestor of modern man which used primitive stone tools.[1] Their remains have been found in the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.[1] They are believed to be about 2 million years old.

Characteristics

Homo habilus had a flat face and large molars which resembled Australopithecus. Its brain size was about 700 cc (larger than Australopithecus).

Homo habilis had an "apelike" body structure (long arms and a small body). Scientists believe they were about 1.3 metres (4.3 feet) tall, and weighed about 37 kilograms (81.6 pounds).[2]

However, there is still a lot of disagreement between scientists about what characteristics Homo habilus had, and whether it is even a separate species at all.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Homo habilis". archaeologyinfo.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  2. "Homo habilis". handprint.com. Retrieved 25 October 2010.