Early Homo
Homo habilis
"Handy Man"
2.4–1.5 Ma·900 ka·Discovered 1960
Description
First formally described Homo. Associated with Oldowan tools — simple but systematic stone flakes.
Notable facts
- "Habilis" means "handy"
- Its classification as Homo is still debated
- Brain 50% larger than australopithecines
- Discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey
Key specimens
OH 7
Type specimen
Mandible and hand bones from a juvenile, found by Mary and Louis Leakey in 1960.
OH 24
"Twiggy"
Crushed but fairly complete cranium from Olduvai.
Anatomy
Larger brain, smaller face and teeth than australopiths. Mosaic body proportions.
Locomotion
Fully bipedal but retaining tree-climbing ability.
Diet
Mixed: meat acquisition increases significantly.
Tools & culture
Maker of Oldowan stone tools (Mode 1).
Where to see it
National Museum of Tanzania.
Media & references
Image ·
Wikimedia Commons · Wikipedia article
Leakey, Tobias & Napier (1964). A new species of the genus Homo from Olduvai Gorge. Nature.
doi: 10.1038/202007a0 ↗